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).

Politics is not a science, as the professors are apt to suppose. It is an art.

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

Fools learn from experience. I prefer to learn from the experience of others.

Great men have great dogs.

The Catholic priest, from the moment he becomes a priest, is a sworn officer of the pope.

Politics ruins the character.