"Politics is the science of the possible."

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

"It is not by speeches and majorities that the great questions of the day are decided, but by iron and blood."

"To retain the existing state of things, one must be master of the sword."

"I shall soon be compelled to undertake the conduct of the Prussian Government. My first care will be to reorganise the army, with or without the help of the Landtag. ... As soon as the army shall have…"