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

"The whole of Europe today is a powder keg and the leaders are like men smoking in an arsenal... A single spark will set off an explosion that will consume us all."

"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…"

"He who has once been a minister never quite ceases to be one."