Otto von Bismarck quotes

1815-1898, German politician

Politics is an inexact science.
Otto von Bismarck

People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election.
Otto von Bismarck

Hounds follow those who feed them.
Otto von Bismarck

Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others.
Otto von Bismarck

Preventive war is like committing suicide out of fear of death.
Otto von Bismarck

An appeal to fear never finds an echo in German hearts.
Otto von Bismarck

With a gentleman I am always a gentleman and a half, and when I have to do with a pirate, I
try to be a pirate and a half.
Otto von Bismarck

A little caution outflanks a large cavalry.
Otto von Bismarck

Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will
think hard before starting a war.
Otto von Bismarck

Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.
Otto von Bismarck

I am accustomed to pay men back in their own coin.
Otto von Bismarck

Numerous politicians have seized absolute power and muzzled the press. Never in history has
the press seized absolute power and muzzled the politicians.
Otto von Bismarck

When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.
Otto von Bismarck

The death of Lincoln was a disaster for Christendom. There was no man in the United States
great enough to wear his boots and the bankers went anew to grab the riches. I fear that
foreign bankers with their craftiness and tortuous tricks will entirely control the exuberant
riches of America and use it to systematically corrupt civilisation.
Otto von Bismarck

It is the destiny of the weak to be devoured by the strong.
Otto von Bismarck

Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable, the art of the next best.
Otto von Bismarck

Laws are like sausages: It's better not to see them being made.
Otto von Bismarck

He who has his thumb on the purse has the power.
Otto von Bismarck

Laws are like medicine: They generally cure an evil by a lesser or a passing evil.
Otto von Bismarck

There is a providence that protects idiots, drunkards, children, and the United States of
America.
Otto von Bismarck

When I have laid bait for deer, I don't shoot at the first doe that comes to sniff, but wait
until the whole herd has gathered round.
Otto von Bismarck

The main thing is to make history, not to write it.
Otto von Bismarck