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Otto von Bismarck

16 quotes

Otto von Bismarck belongs to that rare category of people whose words are more famous than their biography. Whether reflecting on Politics or War, Otto von Bismarck brought uncommon clarity to every subject. Discover 17 of Otto von Bismarck's most memorable quotes, ranging across Politics, War, Government, Truth, and Science. One standout: "To retain respect for sausages and laws, one must not watch them in the making."

“To retain respect for sausages and laws, one must not watch them in the making.”

— Otto von Bismarck

Respect

All Quotes by Otto von Bismarck

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

— Otto von Bismarck

War

“Politics ruins the character.”

— Otto von Bismarck

Politics

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

— Otto von Bismarck

Truth

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

— Otto von Bismarck

War

“Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.”

— Otto von Bismarck

Government

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

— Otto von Bismarck

Politics

“An appeal to fear never finds an echo in German hearts.”

— Otto von Bismarck

Fear

“Politics is the art of the possible.”

— Otto von Bismarck

Politics

“Politics is the art of the next best.”

— Otto von Bismarck

Politics

“Politics is not an exact science.”

— Otto von Bismarck

Politics

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

— Otto von Bismarck

Great

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

— Otto von Bismarck

Politics

“Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.”

— Otto von Bismarck

War

“A government must not waiver once it has chosen it's course. It must not look to the left or right but go forward.”

— Otto von Bismarck

Government

“To retain respect for sausages and laws, one must not watch them in the making.”

— Otto von Bismarck

Respect

“The main thing is to make history, not to write it.”

— Otto von Bismarck

History