Otto von Bismarck

Unified Germany

Modern influential 108 sayings

Sayings by Otto von Bismarck

It is easier to criticize than to govern.

Unknown, 19th century — Observation on the difficulties of governance
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

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

Late 19th century — Attributed to Bismarck, reflecting the often unsavory process of political negotiation and legislati…
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

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.

September 30, 1862 — From his 'Blood and Iron' speech to the Prussian Landtag Budget Committee.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Late 19th century — A pragmatic definition of politics, emphasizing compromise and realism.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

An appeal to fear never found a truly great man.

Late 19th century — A statement on courage and leadership.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Faust complained that he had two souls in his breast, but I harbor a whole legion.

Late 19th century — A self-assessment of his complex and often contradictory personality.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Late 19th century — Emphasizing action and influence over mere documentation.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Politics is not an exact science, but an art.

Late 19th century — Reflecting his view of politics as requiring skill, intuition, and adaptation.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

Late 19th century — Highlighting the importance of good relations with Russia for Germany's security.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Americans are a people of children, for whom everything is a game.

Late 19th century — A somewhat dismissive, yet perhaps insightful, observation on American national character.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

You can do anything with bayonets except sit on them.

Late 19th century — A metaphor for the limitations of military force in governance.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Woe to the statesman whose arguments for entering a war are not as convincing at its end as they were at its beginning.

Late 19th century — A warning about the long-term justification of military actions.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Politics is the art of the possible.

Late 19th century — A concise and famous definition of politics, emphasizing practicality.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The states of the world are not governed by principles, but by interests.

Late 19th century — A realist view of international relations.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He who has once been bitten by the passion for power, will never be free from it.

Late 19th century — A reflection on the addictive nature of political power.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The only way to avoid mistakes is to gain experience, but experience is gained by making mistakes.

Late 19th century — A paradoxical statement on the acquisition of wisdom.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

It is not by speeches and resolutions that the great problems of the day are decided, but by blood and iron.

September 30, 1862 — Another variant of his famous 'Blood and Iron' speech.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

To retain the old is not to preserve it, but to destroy it.

Late 19th century — A statement on the necessity of change and adaptation for preservation.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Politics is the art of governing mankind by deceiving them.

Late 19th century — A highly cynical and Machiavellian view of political practice.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Great success in politics is always the result of great risks.

Late 19th century — A reflection on the necessity of boldness in political strategy.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable