With a gentleman I am always a gentleman and a half, and with a fraud I try to be a fraud and a half.

The Americans are a very lucky people. They're bordered to the north and south by weak neighbors, and to the east and west by fish.

A statesman... must wait until he hears the steps of God sounding through events, then leap up and grasp the hem of His garment.

Preventive war is like committing suicide out of fear of death.

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

He who has his thumb on the purse has the power.

Even 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.