Otto von Bismarck

One can put some trust in the gratitude of a sovereign, and also in that of his family; under certain conditions, one…

— Otto von Bismarck

Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others.

— Otto von Bismarck

Earthly majesty is always akin to the fallen angel, who is proud and unhappy, beautiful but troubled, and whose plans and efforts,…

— Otto von Bismarck

“The Balkans aren't worth the life of a single Pomeranian grenadier.”

— Otto von Bismarck

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

— Otto von Bismarck

The government should cultivate the view also among the propertyless classes of the population, those who are the most numerous and the…

— Otto von Bismarck

Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.

— Otto von Bismarck

When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of carrying it out in…

— Otto von Bismarck

Preventive war is like committing suicide out of fear of death.

— Otto von Bismarck

Fools you are who say you like to learn from your mistakes. I prefer to learn from the mistakes of others, and…

— Otto von Bismarck

“Verfallen wir nicht in den Fehler, bei jedem Andersmeinenden entweder an seinem Verständnis oder an seinem guten Willen zu zweifeln.”

— Otto von Bismarck

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

— Otto von Bismarck

I have often regretted what I have eaten, but never what I have drunk.

— Otto von Bismarck

The nation that has the schools has the future.

— Otto von Bismarck

Vanity is a mortgage that must be deducted from the value of a man.

— Otto von Bismarck

Hounds follow those who feed them.

— Otto von Bismarck

I have always found the word 'Europe' on the lips of those who wanted something from others which they dared not demand…

— Otto von Bismarck

Politics is no exact science.

— Otto von Bismarck

“In order to retain a certain respect for sausages and laws, one must not see them being made.”

— Otto von Bismarck

People who love sausage and people who believe in justice should never watch either of them being made

— Otto von Bismarck

“I have a burden on my soul. During my long life, I did not make anyone happy, neither my friends, nor my…

— Otto von Bismarck

Laws are like sausages. You sleep far better the less you know about how they are made.

— Otto von Bismarck

What we learn from History is that no one learns from History

— Otto von Bismarck

The luxury of one's own opinion.

— Otto von Bismarck

I have seen three emperors in their nakedness, and the sight was not inspiring.

— Otto von Bismarck