The statesman's task is to hear God's footsteps marching through history, and to try and catch on to His coattails as He marches past.

Our German forefathers had a very kind religion. They believed that, after death, they would meet again all the good dogs that had been their companions in life. I wish I could believe that too.

No civilization other than that which is Christian, is worth seeking or possessing.

The position of Prussia in Germany will not be determined by its liberalism but by its power ... Prussia must concentrate its strength and hold it for the favorable moment, which has already come and gone several times. Since the treaties of Vienna, our frontiers have been ill-designed for a healthy body politic. 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 (Eisen und Blut).

A Bavarian is half-way between an Austrian and a human being.

It is the destiny of the weak to be devoured by the strong.

A bad plan that is well executed will yield much better results than a good plan that is poorly executed.