Woe to the leader whose arguments at the end of a war are not as plausible as they were at the beginning. - Otto von Bismarck

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

I do not comprehend with what right we acknowledge the commands of Christianity as binding upon our private dealings, and yet in the most important sphere of our duty—participation in the legislation of a country having a population of forty-five million people—push them into the background and say, here we need not trouble. For my part I confess openly that my belief in the consequence of our revealed religion, in the form of moral law, is sufficient for me, and certainly for the position taken up on this question by the Emperor, and that the question of the Christian or non-Christian State has nothing to do with the matter. I, the minister of the State, am a Christian, and as such I am determined to act as I believe I am justified before God.

Life is like being at the dentist. You always think that the worst is still to come, and yet it is over already.