Otto von Bismarck

Unified Germany

Modern influential 108 sayings

Sayings by Otto von Bismarck

The only sound basis of a large state is self-interest, not sentimentality.

Late 19th century — A realist perspective on the foundations of national power.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The press is like a woman: she is always right, and you don't argue with her.

Late 19th century — A rather misogynistic but pragmatic view on dealing with the media.
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It is not the business of government to make people happy, but to prevent them from being unhappy.

Late 19th century — A utilitarian and somewhat pessimistic view of government's role.
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The people are like children, they must be led by the hand.

Late 19th century — A paternalistic and somewhat authoritarian view of leadership.
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The great reserve of any state is the stupidity of its foes.

Late 19th century — A cynical and strategic observation on exploiting the weaknesses of opponents.
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The dog of a butcher, though he gnaws bones, is often hungry.

Late 19th century — A metaphor for those who are close to power but do not fully benefit from it.
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I have always found that the word 'state' is a very convenient one, as it can mean anything you want it to mean.

Late 19th century — A critique of political rhetoric and the manipulation of language.
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The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.

Late 19th century — A reflection on the isolation that can accompany great power and conviction.
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A generation that has taken a great war for granted will never be able to appreciate the blessings of peace.

Late 19th century — A warning about the dangers of complacency regarding conflict.
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The statesman's task is to hear the rustling of God's mantle through history and then to grasp it.

Late 19th century — A more poetic version of his quote about seizing opportunities, framing political action as divinely…
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If there is ever another war in Europe, it will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans.

1888 — A prophetic warning about the volatile nature of the Balkans, often cited in relation to WWI.
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To be a good politician, you must have a thick skin and a clear conscience.

Late 19th century — A practical piece of advice for navigating the political world.
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The more I see of the world, the more I am convinced that the only way to get anything done is to do it yourself.

Late 19th century — Reflecting a self-reliant and perhaps cynical view of cooperation.
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Peace is only a dream, and not even a beautiful one.

Late 19th century — A pessimistic and realist view of international relations and the inevitability of conflict.
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Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain.

Late 19th century — A classical allusion, reflecting his frustration with human folly.
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A bayonet is a weapon with a worker at one end and a fool at the other.

Late 19th century — A critical view of military force, suggesting it's wielded by the working class for the benefit of t…
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I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.

Late 19th century — A reflection on the wisdom of restraint and the dangers of speaking impulsively.
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The man who has nothing to lose is the most dangerous.

Late 19th century — A strategic observation on the psychology of desperation.
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Politics is the art of the possible, the science of the relative.

Late 19th century — Another definition of politics, emphasizing its pragmatic and relative nature.
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The statesman's task is to hear God's footsteps marching through history, and then to grasp the hem of His garment and walk with Him.

Late 19th century — A more embellished version of his quote on divine guidance in statesmanship.
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