I have seen three emperors in their nakedness, and the sight was not inspiring.
Meaning of the quote
This quote by German leader Otto von Bismarck suggests that he has witnessed the private, vulnerable moments of three different emperors, and that the experience was not impressive or inspiring to him. Bismarck is implying that despite the power and authority of these leaders, he was able to see them as ordinary, flawed human beings, which diminished their perceived greatness.
More quotes from Otto von Bismarck
The great questions of the day will not be settled by means of speeches and majority decisions but by iron and blood.
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No civilization other than that which is Christian, is worth seeking or possessing.
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Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.
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The main thing is to make history, not to write it.
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With a gentleman I am always a gentleman and a half, and with a fraud I try to be a fraud and a half.
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When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.
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To retain respect for sausages and laws, one must not watch them in the making.
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Whoever speaks of Europe is wrong: it is a geographical expression.
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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.
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The secret of politics? Make a good treaty with Russia.
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Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.
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Politics is the art of the next best.
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A statesman… must wait until he hears the steps of God sounding through events, then leap up and grasp the hem of His garment.
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Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.
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I have seen three emperors in their nakedness, and the sight was not inspiring.
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Politics is not an exact science.
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When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn’t the slightest intention of carrying it out in practice.
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A government must not waiver once it has chosen it’s course. It must not look to the left or right but go forward.
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People never lie so much as after a hunt, during a war or before an election.
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All treaties between great states cease to be binding when they come in conflict with the struggle for existence.
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There is a Providence that protects idiots, drunkards, children and the United States of America.
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Politics is the art of the possible.
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Politics ruins the character.
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A journalist is a person who has mistaken their calling.
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Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.
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An appeal to fear never finds an echo in German hearts.
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