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Otto Von Bismarck Quotes

40 Famous Quotes By Otto Von Bismarck, The Iron Chancellor Of Germany

Famous As: Chancellor of the German Empire (1871 - 1890)

Born On: 1815

Died On: 1898

Born In: Schönhausen, Germany

Died At Age: 83

Otto Eduard Leopold, better known as Otto von Bismarck, was a Prussian statesman who served as the first Chancellor of Germany. Owing to his statesmanship and domineering rule and his plans for the Unification of Germany; he was by named as ‘Iron Chancellor’. In a bid to achieve his ultimate goal to unify Germany, Bismarck plotted three wars. ‘Realpolitik’, was his diplomacy that was considered the main attribute towards the unification of Germany. Although he was criticized for his bold and aggressive approach on governance, Bismarck was exalted for his work and thoughts. He introduced polices such as ‘old age pensions’, ‘accident insurances’, ‘medical care’, and ‘unemployment insurance’ and his thoughts and work made him popular among the people. Though Bismarck did not know what would happen to the Unified Germany after his regime, he tirelessly served for its upcoming. He has been one of the most prominent historical figures and his thoughts an quotations on polity, diplomacy and war are very famous. His sayings, quotations and thoughts on diplomacy, historians, war, observation, blood and iron are extensively quoted by people all over.

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Leaders

Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.

Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.
Otto von Bismarck

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

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

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

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

When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.

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

Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable — the art of the next best

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

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

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

One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans (1888).

One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans (1888).
War Will
Otto von Bismarck

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

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

Laws are like sausages. It's better not to see them being made.

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

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

Preventive war is like committing suicide out of fear of death.
Death War Like Fear
Otto von Bismarck

God has a special providence for fools, drunkards, and the United States of America.

God has a special providence for fools, drunkards, and the United States of America.
God
Otto von Bismarck

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

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

Fools say that they learn by experience. I prefer to profit by others experience.

Fools say that they learn by experience. I prefer to profit by others experience.
Experience I
Otto von Bismarck

Man cannot control the current of events. he can only float with them and steer

Man cannot control the current of events. he can only float with them and steer
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

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

Politics are not a science based on logic; they are the capacity of always choosing at each instant, in constantly changing situations, the least harmful, the most useful.

Politics are not a science based on logic; they are the capacity of always choosing at each instant, in constantly changing situations, the least harmful, the most useful.
Otto von Bismarck

Faust complained about having two souls in his breast, but I harbor a whole crowd of them and they quarrel. It is like being in a republic.

Faust complained about having two souls in his breast, but I harbor a whole crowd of them and they quarrel. It is like being in a republic.
Like I
Otto von Bismarck

Hounds follow those who feed them.
Otto von Bismarck

We live in a wondrous time, in which the strong is weak because of his scruples and the weak grows strong because of his audacity.

We live in a wondrous time, in which the strong is weak because of his scruples and the weak grows strong because of his audacity.
Time
Otto von Bismarck

The main thing is to make history not to write it

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

The statesman's task is to hear God's footsteps marching through history, and to try and catch on to His coattails as He marches past.

The statesman's task is to hear God's footsteps marching through history, and to try and catch on to His coattails as He marches past.
Past History
Otto von Bismarck

The secret of politics? Make a good treaty with Russia.

The secret of politics? Make a good treaty with Russia.
Otto von Bismarck

The great questions of the day will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions but by iron and blood

The great questions of the day will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions but by iron and blood
Will
Otto von Bismarck

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

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

Politics ruins the character
Character
Otto von Bismarck

Politics is not an exact science.
Otto von Bismarck

Not by speeches and votes of the majority, are the great questions of the time decided — that was the error of 1848 and 1849 — but by iron and blood.

Not by speeches and votes of the majority, are the great questions of the time decided — that was the error of 1848 and 1849 — but by iron and blood.
Time
Otto von Bismarck