Otto von Bismarck was a German statesman who served as the first Chancellor of the German Empire from 1871 to 1890. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in European history. Throughout his career, Bismarck was known for his wit and wisdom, which he often expressed in memorable quotes. Here are some of his most famous quotes that offer insight into his beliefs and political philosophy.”The great questions of the day will not be resolved by speeches and majority decisions but by iron and blood.” – Otto von Bismarck
“Politics is the art of the possible.”
Otto von Bismarck, the first Chancellor of Germany and a statesman renowned for his political acumen, was known for his famous quote “Politics is the art of the possible.” This phrase beautifully encapsulates Bismarck’s approach to politics and government: one must be pragmatic and realistic in order to successfully navigate the complexities of governance. He believed that a successful politician must understand their limitations and work within them in order to achieve their desired objectives. His quote is still applicable today, as today’s politicians must also be mindful of the constraints imposed by their citizens, their constituents, and their own political beliefs as they strive to make policy decisions that are in line with their own values and objectives.
“Not by speeches and votes of the majority, are the great questions of the time decided — that was the error of 1848 and 1849 — but by iron and blood.”
This quote from Otto von Bismarck speaks to his belief that politics should not be left solely to words or rhetoric but should also involve action. He was a realist who understood that sometimes force is necessary in order to achieve political objectives or maintain peace. This quote has been echoed throughout history by many other statesmen who have used military power as a means of achieving their goals. While this approach may not always be popular or even morally acceptable, it has been used time and again as a tool for maintaining stability or achieving desired outcomes.
“Laws are like sausages; it is better not to see them being made.”
In this memorable phrase, Otto von Bismarck highlights an important aspect of politics: its complexity. Laws are often complex documents that require sophisticated legal minds in order to be crafted properly. Moreover, laws can often take months or years to develop due to disagreements between various stakeholders involved in creating them – making them a tedious process at times. Therefore, this quote serves as a reminder that while laws are important for governing society, it can often be difficult for laypersons to understand exactly how they are created.
Otto von Bismarck Quotes
“Fools learn from experience, I prefer to learn from the experience of others.” This quote by Otto von Bismarck is one of the most iconic quotes in history. It speaks to the importance of learning from others rather than attempting to learn from our own mistakes.
Bismarck was a German statesman and the first Chancellor of Germany. He was known for overseeing the unification of German states into a powerful empire. He is also remembered for his famous quote: “Politics is not an exact science.” This quote has become one of the most famous quotes on politics and reflects Bismarck’s belief that politics can be unpredictable and often chaotic.
Another popular quote by Bismarck is: “People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election.” This quote highlights his cynicism about human nature and how people can use deception for their own benefit. It also speaks to his belief that people will often resort to lies and manipulation in order to get what they want.
One final quote attributed to Bismarck is: “It is better to make a wrong decision than no decision at all.” This quote speaks to his belief that it is important to make decisions and take action, even if those decisions may not turn out as planned. He believed that taking no action was worse than making a wrong decision because it would lead to inaction and stagnation instead of progress.
Overall, Otto von Bismarck’s quotes are just as relevant today as they were during his time. His words have become iconic for their insight into politics, human nature, and decision-making processes. His quotes will continue to inspire generations for years to come.
Otto von Bismarck Quotations
“People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election.” – Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck was a German statesman who served as the first Chancellor of the German Empire from 1871 to 1890. He is renowned for his conservative and authoritarian policies and was one of the most influential statesmen of his time. His famous quote speaks volumes about his view of politics and human nature. In it, he warns us against believing in people’s words too easily, especially when something important is at stake. It is a reminder to be wary of anyone professing their loyalty or honesty during times of great uncertainty or conflict.
Another famous quote from Bismarck is: “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.” This quote reflects his opinion on the process by which laws are made and shows how he viewed politics as an ever-changing game in which the rules were constantly being rewritten. It serves as a warning to always be aware of the machinations behind any decisions that are taken and to think twice before blindly following any authority figures.
Finally, Bismarck’s most famous quote is: “Politics is the art of the possible”. This quote encapsulates his view on politics and how it should be approached – with pragmatism and compromise. He believed that political success was achieved through careful negotiation and compromise rather than relying solely on principles or ideologies. This quote serves as an important reminder that realpolitik often trumps idealistic notions in politics, and that achieving success requires hard work and flexibility rather than simply relying on ideals.
Remarkable Statements from Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck, the first Chancellor of the German Empire, was known for his wit and wisdom. He made many remarkable statements during his lifetime and some of them are still relevant today. Here are some of the most memorable quotes from Otto von Bismarck:
“Politics is the art of the possible.” This quote is a reminder that one must take practical steps to achieve their goals in politics. It also emphasizes the importance of compromise in order to get things done.
“Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.” This quote highlights how complex the process of creating laws can be. It also suggests that it is often better to keep a certain level of distance between those in power and those affected by their decisions.
“If you like laws and sausages, you should never watch either one being made.” This statement further emphasizes the complexity of lawmaking and suggests that it should be done behind closed doors.
“Preventive war is like committing suicide out of fear of death.” This quote has become especially relevant in today’s world where preventive wars are becoming more common. It serves as an important reminder that such military actions may not always be wise or justifiable.
“People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election.” This statement speaks volumes about human nature and reminds us to take what we hear with a grain of salt during times when emotions run high.
Memorable Sayings from Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor of Prussia, was one of the most influential statesmen in modern history. He is remembered for his famous quotes and sayings that are still relevant today. Here are some of his most memorable sayings:
“Politics is not a science, but an art.”
Bismarck believed that there were rules to politics but also that it was ultimately an art form that required creativity and skill.
“A man will always find those who think it’s their duty to ride him down and fence him in.”
Bismarck was well aware of the challenges faced by the powerful, as well as those who wished to gain power. He believed that opposition would always be present in any endeavor.
“Not by speeches and votes of majorities, are the great questions of the time decided – but by iron and blood.”
Bismarck understood that diplomacy was important but not enough to achieve one’s goals. He believed that force could be necessary at times to achieve one’s objectives.
“The great questions of the day will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions but by iron and blood.”
Bismarck knew that sometimes only military force could settle conflicts between nations or groups of people. He understood the importance of strength and determination in getting results.
Powerful Maxims of Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck was a German statesman who served as the first Chancellor of the German Empire from 1871 to 1890. He is widely regarded as one of the most powerful politicians in history, and his famous maxims continue to shape modern international relations. Here are some of his most powerful maxims:
“Politics is the art of the possible.” This maxim emphasizes the importance of pragmatism and compromise in diplomacy. It also highlights the need to remain flexible when dealing with other nations, as conditions may not always be ideal.
“Preventive war is like committing suicide out of fear of death.” This maxim speaks to the dangers of engaging in aggressive conflict without clear justification or provocation. Bismarck believed that war should only be used as a tool for achieving desired outcomes, and not as a means of showing strength or dominance.
“People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election.” This maxim speaks to Bismarck’s skepticism about human nature and politics. He believed that people often made promises they could not keep, and were willing to say whatever was necessary in order to gain favor or power.
“Not through speeches and majority decisions will the great questions of the day be decided—that was the great mistake of 1848 and 1849—but by iron and blood.” This maxim speaks to Bismarck’s belief that political power ultimately rested on military strength, rather than on ideals or rhetoric. He often used this phrase to emphasize his point that real change could only come through force, rather than through words alone.
Otto von Bismarck’s maxims remain relevant today because they capture timeless truths about power, politics, and human nature. His words continue to shape our understanding of international relations and provide valuable insights into how we can best navigate our modern world.
Insightful Proverbs of Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck was a Prussian statesman who served as the first Chancellor of Germany from 1871 to 1890. He was one of the most influential figures in 19th century Europe, and is remembered for his vast political accomplishments, as well as his insightful proverbs. Here are some of the most famous proverbs attributed to him:
“Politics is not a science but an art.” Bismarck’s view on politics was that it should be approached with creativity and perspective, rather than rigidly following rules and regulations. This proverb emphasizes the importance of considering all factors when making decisions in politics.
“Preventive war is like committing suicide out of fear of death.” This proverb speaks to the dangers of engaging in warfare without fully understanding the consequences. Bismarck believed that war should only be undertaken when it is absolutely necessary, and that it should never be used as a preventive measure against potential threats.
“Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.” This proverb reminds us of the tremendous cost and tragedy associated with war. It encourages us to think carefully before taking any actions that could lead to armed conflict.
“Not by speeches and votes of majorities will the great questions of our time be decided – that was the great mistake made by those who thought they had solved them fifty years ago.” This proverb speaks to how quickly circumstances can change, making solutions from previous eras obsolete or inadequate for current conditions. It suggests that we must remain vigilant and adaptive in our approach to addressing modern issues.
Conclusion
Otto von Bismarck’s quotes show a great understanding of diplomatic relations and power politics. He believed that it was important to maintain peace, but that it was also necessary to take decisive action when required. He also understood the importance of strong leadership and emphasized the need for statesmen to have a deep understanding of diplomacy and international relations. Bismarck’s words were influential during his lifetime and continue to be relevant in today’s world. His wisdom demonstrates the importance of being able to recognize when compromise is necessary, while also being prepared for war if needed. His quotes serve as an important reminder that successful foreign policy requires strength, flexibility, and a clear understanding of international relations.
Therefore, Bismarck’s words provide valuable insight into power politics and diplomatic relations which can be applied in both past and present situations. His quotes are essential reading for any aspiring statesman looking to gain a better understanding of the complexities involved in international diplomacy and conflict resolution.