“I have found that nothing so deceives your adversaries as telling them the truth.”

When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.

The great questions of the day will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions but by iron and blood.

Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.

A little caution outflanks a large cavalry.

There is a Providence that protects idiots, drunkards, children and the United States of America.

A really great man is known by three signs: generosity in the design, humanity in the execution, moderation in success.

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

Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.

People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war, or before an election.

Politics is the art of the possible.

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

People never lie so much as before an election, during a war, or after a hunt.

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

A conquering army on the border will not be stopped by eloquence.

Universal suffrage is the government of a house by its nursery.

Great men have great dogs.

Nothing is easier than self-deceit.

Nowadays those are rewarded who make right appear wrong.

Nothing is more easy than to deceive one’s self, as our affections are subtle persuaders.

Human life is thus only an endless illusion. Men deceive and flatter each other. No one speaks of us in our presence as he does when we are gone. Society is based on mutual hypocrisy.

Vice can deceive under the guise and shadow of virtue.

First appearance deceives many.

It is only prudent never to place complete confidence in that by which we have even once been deceived.

In the end love means deceive.