Bismarck

Iron Chancellor of Germany

Modern influential 103 sayings

Sayings by Bismarck

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

Late 19th century (approximate) — A witty and somewhat absurd remark on divine intervention and certain groups.
Humorous Unverifiable

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

Late 19th century (approximate) — A cynical observation on human dishonesty in specific situations.
Humorous Unverifiable

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

Late 19th century (approximate) — A witty and insightful analogy on the futility of certain military actions.
Humorous Confirmed

Life is like being at the dentist. You always think the worst is still to come, and it is over already.

Late 19th century (approximate) — A witty and relatable observation on anxiety and the passage of time.
Humorous Unverifiable

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

Late 19th century (approximate) — A cynical and witty piece of advice on political information.
Humorous Confirmed

I have only one ambition left: I should like to have a good epitaph.

Late 19th century (approximate) — A self-aware and witty remark about his legacy.
Humorous Unverifiable

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

Late 19th century (approximate) — A darkly witty instruction on maintaining decorum even in conflict.
Humorous Unverifiable

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.

Late 19th century (approximate) — A witty and self-deprecating comparison of his inner turmoil to a political system.
Humorous Unverifiable

In my politics, I may be attacked, but I only laugh about it. But when it comes to hunting, that's where the fun stops, that's where it gets serious.

Late 19th century (approximate) — A humorous juxtaposition of his attitude towards political attacks versus hunting.
Humorous Unverifiable

There is so much having to do in my life that I rarely get to want to do.

Late 19th century (approximate) — A relatable and dryly humorous comment on the demands of his position.
Humorous Unverifiable

Let's put Germany, so to speak, in the saddle! It will be able to ride.

Late 19th century (approximate) — A confident and somewhat playful figurative statement about Germany's future.
Humorous Unverifiable

With a gentleman, I am always a gentleman and a half, and with a fraud, I try to be a fraud and a half.

Late 19th century (approximate) — Describing his strategic approach to dealing with different types of people.
Humorous Confirmed

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

1860s — Attributed remark
Humorous Confirmed

A statesman cannot create anything, he must wait and listen until he hears the footsteps of God sounding through events, and then spring and seize the hem of His garment.

1870s — Conversation with Moritz Busch
Humorous Unverifiable

The great questions of the day will not be decided by speeches and majority resolutions—that was the great mistake of 1848 and 1849—but by iron and blood.

1862 — Blood and Iron speech to the Landtag Budget Committee
Humorous Unverifiable

I have often regretted that I have spoken, never that I have been silent.

1870s — Attributed remark
Humorous Unverifiable

Man cannot create the current of events. He can only float with it and steer.

1880s — Conversation
Humorous Unverifiable

The less people know about how sausages and laws are made, the better they'll sleep at night.

1860s — More elaborate version of the 'sausage' quote, attributed
Humorous Unverifiable

The main thing is to make an alliance with Russia.

1880s — Statement on foreign policy
Humorous Unverifiable

Faust complained about having two souls in his breast, but I harbor a whole legion.

1851 — Letter to his wife Johanna von Puttkamer
Humorous Unverifiable