“Politics is not an exact science.”

A government must not waiver once it has chosen its course. It must not look to the left or right but go forward.

History is simply a piece of paper covered with print: the main thing is to make history, not to write it.

Nothing should be left to an invaded people except their eyes for weeping.

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

Politics are not a science based on logic; they are the capacity of always choosing at each instant, in constantly changing situations, the least harmful, the most useful.

The secret of politics? Make a good treaty with Russia.

The main thing is to make history, not to write it.

We Germans fear God, but nothing else in the world.

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

Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.

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

I have seen three emperors in their nakedness, and the sight was not inspiring.

When you say you agree to a thing in principle you mean that you have not the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice.

Politics ruins the character.

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

Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.

There are moments as a teacher when I’m conscious that I’m trotting out the same exact phrase my professor used with me years ago.

Too exact, and studious of similitude rather than of beauty.

Truth-loving Persians do not dwell upon The trivial skirmish fought near Marathon.

Truth sits upon the lips of dying men.

Myths are seldom simple, and never irresponsible.

Truth-loving Persians do not dwell upon The trivial skirmish fought near Marathon.

America is woven of many strands. I would recognize them and let it so remain.

It is the nature of all greatness not to be exact.