Beware of sentimental alliances where the consciousness of good deeds is the only compensation for noble sacrifices.

A really great man is known by three signs... generosity in the design, humanity in the execution, moderation in success.

Politics is no exact science.

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

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

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

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

When you say that you agree to a thing in principle you mean that you have not the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice.

A fool learns from experience. A wise man learns from the experience of others.

This policy cannot succeed through speeches, and shooting-matches, and songs; it can only be carried out through blood and iron.