We are better off not knowing how sausages and laws are made.

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).

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.

Better pointed bullets than pointed words.

All treaties between great states cease to be binding when they come in conflict with the struggle for existence.

A generation that has taken a beating is always followed by a generation that deals one.

I am bored. The great things are done. The German Reich is made.