Otto von Bismarck

"One should as a rule respect public opinion in democracy, but not be a slave to it."

"I have always been a man of principle, even when it was not convenient."

"The wars of the future will be decided by the strength of our alliance."

"In the long run, a man only learns from his own mistakes and those of others."

"The great secret of success in politics is to remain master of oneself."

"Never believe anything until it has been officially denied."

"The strength of a nation is the moral character of its leader."

"A man who has committed an error and does not correct it is committing another error."

"Time and patience are the greatest weapons."

"The real commander does not govern by laws, but by will."

"Respect cannot be won; it must be deserved."

"One should not defend oneself by recrimination."

"The secret of success is to know when to compromise."

"Great foreign policy always lies in the proper measure of pride and pragmatism."

"A politician's duty is to do what benefits his nation, not what pleases the crowd."

"The highest of all blessings is a peaceful conscience."

"Men are made to be conquered and ruled."

"I have always been of the opinion that a gentleman should do anything rather than nothing."

"The best diplomacy is conducted in complete secrecy."

"One must think as a wise man, but speak as the common people do."

"Strength lies not in defense but in attack."

"The German people respect strength above all other qualities."

"A successful strategy requires knowing one's enemy perfectly."

"The first generation earns the wealth, the second spends it."

"Majorities, when they merely exist numerically, are a sham."

"A wise ruler never wages a war unless absolutely certain of victory."

"The greatest deception is to believe that one cannot be deceived."

"I have always believed in fate, but only when I make it myself."

"Never quarrel with people whose opinion does not matter."

"The only tradition of German statecraft is success."