Quote#Wisdom
Why did the German Empire sink into decay? Because the old Empire was…
Quote byWilhelm II · 1859–1941
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: My Ideas and Ideals, (p. 37).
English (original)
Why did the German Empire sink into decay? Because the old Empire was not founded on a strictly national basis. The idea of universal rule that underlay the Holy Roman Empire precluded a development on national German lines.
— Wilhelm II
More from Wilhelm II
There is only one person who is master in this Empire and I am not going to tolerate any other.
You [recruits] have sworn loyalty to me. You have only one enemy and that is my enemy. In the present social confusion, it may come about that I order you to shoot down your own relatives, brothers or parents but even then you must follow …
I regard every Social Democrat as an enemy of the Empire and Fatherland.
The soldier and the army, not Parliamentary majorities and decisions, have welded the German Empire together. I put my trust in the army.
When I have to act or think I always ask myself the question: What does the Bible say in similar circumstances? The Bible is for me a spring whence I draw strength and light.
I am just now not reading but devouring Captain Mahan's book and am trying to learn it by heart. It is a first-class book and classical on all points.