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Otto von Bismarck Quotes
1815–1898 Germany
Prince Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck, Duke of Lauenburg (1 April 1815 – 30 July 1898), was a German aristocrat and statesman; he was Minister President of Prussia (1862–1890), and the first Chancellor of Germany (1871–1890). Nicknamed the Iron Chancellor, he is noted for his laconic remarks.
Germany Military leaders Non-fiction authors Also known as: Bismarck, Otto von Bismark, Prince Bismarck, Bismark
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46 quotes
The king reigns but does not govern.
Let us lift Germany, so to speak, into the saddle. Surely when that is achieved, it will succeed at riding as well.
Speech to Parliament of Confederation (1867)
Faust complains of having two souls in his breast. I have a whole squabbling crowd. It goes on as in a republic.
Bismarck: The Man and the Statesman (1955)
Politics is not an exact science... but an art.
I grant that I am full of prejudices; I sucked them in with my mother's milk, and I cannot possibly argue them away.
Your map of Africa is really quite nice. But my map of Africa lies in Europe. Here is Russia, and here... is France, and we're in the middle — that's my map of Africa.
Austria was no more in the wrong in opposing our claims than we were in making them.
I am not antagonistic to the rightful claims of capital; I am far from wanting to flourish a hostile flag; but I am of opinion that the masses, too, have rights which should be considered.
[The great questions of the day] are not decided by speeches and majority votes, but by blood and iron.
[The opposition Press] which is in the hands of malecontents who have failed in their career.
They treat me like a fox, a cunning fellow (Schlaukopf) of the first rank. But the truth is that 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.
The old Jew, he is the man.
My dear Professor, a war would have cost us at least 30,000 brave soldiers, and at best we should have gained nothing by it. Besides, anyone who has once looked into the glassy eyes of a dying warrior on the battle-field would think twice before beginning a war.
I see in the whole no interest for Germany which would be worth even [...] the healthy bones of a single Pomeranian musketeer. Speech to the Reichstag 5 December 1876
In the development of our tariff I am determined to oppose any modification in the direction of Free Trade, and to use my influence in favour of greater protection and of a higher revenue from frontier duties.
Hit the Poles so hard that they despair of their life; I have full sympathy with their condition, but if we want to survive, we can only exterminate them; the wolf, too, cannot help having been created by God as he is, but people shoot him for it if they can.
I should like to see the State, which for the most part consists of Christians—although you reject the name Christian State—penetrated to some extent by the principles of the religion it professes; especially as concerns the help one gives to his neighbour, and sympathy with the lot of old and suffering people.
Laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion as we know how they are made (Gesetze sind wie Würste, man sollte besser nicht dabei sein, wenn sie gemacht werden).
Misattributed
Who is master of Bohemia is master of Europe.
Disputed
Crowned heads, wealth and privilege may well tremble should ever again the Black and Red unite!
Disputed
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