QUOTATIONS FROM CHAIRMAN BISMARCK

Otto von Bismarck is not generally thought of as a deep philosopher, humanitarian or hero of representative government. But he did have his moments. For your weekend entertainment, hear are some of his nuggets:

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

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

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

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

Politics is not an exact science.

Politics is the art of the next best.

Politics is the art of the possible.

Politics ruins the character.

When a man says that he approves something in principal, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of putting it in practice.

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

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

Let's hope he's still right about the last one...

GOAT ROPE ADVISORY LEVEL: ELEVATED