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.
Otto von BismarckEven the most favorable outcome of the war will never lead to the decomposition of the main forces of Russia, which is based on millions of Russian ... The latter, even if they break up international treaties, just as quickly re-connect with each other, like pieces of a particle of mercury.
Otto von Bismarck