QuoteProject
Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable — the art of the next best
Otto Von Bismarck
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Politics involves finding practical solutions within the limits of what can be achieved.

This quote by Otto Von Bismarck highlights the essence of politics as a discipline concerned with what is feasible and realistic rather than idealistic visions. It suggests that effective political action often requires compromise and the ability to pursue the most achievable goals rather than perfect ones, recognizing the limitations imposed by reality.

Themes

PoliticsPossibilityGovernanceRealismCompromise

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be referenced during a political debate to emphasize the need for practical solutions.

More from Otto Von Bismarck

Laws are like sausages. You sleep far better the less you know about how they are made.
Otto Von BismarckRead
Preventive war is like committing suicide out of fear of death.
Otto Von BismarckRead
With a gentleman I am always a gentleman and a half, and with a fraud I try to be a fraud and a half.
Otto Von BismarckRead
It is the destiny of the weak to be devoured by the strong.
Otto Von BismarckRead
A generation that has taken a beating is always followed by a generation that deals one.
Otto Von BismarckRead
The less people know about how sausages and laws are made, the better they'll sleep at night
Otto Von BismarckRead

Similar quotes

The established politicians, who before the war preached national pride and Christian love, were the first to collaborate with the Germans. But the communists, who as children we'd been taught to fear, kept a resistance movement alive, living and dying true to their ideals.
Mikis TheodorakisRead
A politician, he knows that the majority cares little for ideals or integrity. What it craves is display.
Emma GoldmanRead
The Iranian government is undoubtedly a severe danger to its own population, but not beyond that.
Noam ChomskyRead
Long Island is shaped the way it is largely because of Robert Moses. Long Island is a perfect example of how political power shapes people's lives every day.
Robert CaroRead
Remember that a civilized nation cannot just have one party; if there were only one party, this would merely be a dictatorship. Politics could not advance.
Sun Yat-SenRead
Political experience is political inefficacy.
Emmanuel MacronRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.