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Alfred von Waldersee
62 quotes
“[Wilhelm II] fishes for ovations and – as of course follows from that – is very open to flattery. All this has developed so quickly that I am constantly surprised by what he does. As Prince Wilhelm he seemed to have many of the excellent qualities of his grandfather, he was modest and simple in his way of life, avoided attracting attention, did not like being escorted by adjutants and was very considerate towards old people. Now he loves splendor to an alarming degree and is beginning to behave like Louis XIV.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) first seen 1890 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Waldersee in his diary, 11 August 1890
“If he bears me a grudge because of his poor command of troops he shows that he lacks greatness of spirit and deserves to be treated as a little man. But if he has allowed himself to reflect calmly and to examine himself a little, he cannot but be grateful to me and tell himself that I acted without fear and did my duty. Then one could say: there is nobility in him after all.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) first seen 1890 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Waldersee in his diary, 8 October 1890, commenting on the imperial field maneuvers of that year, when Waldersee defeated the formations commanded by Kaiser Wilhelm II.
“[Wilhelm I’s] venerable personality, known throughout the world for the conscientiousness and devotion to duty he showed until his dying day, with all his past, and the fact that he never gave any reason for malicious tongues to wag, was for us a bulwark against the tide of revolution. The present Kaiser, on the other hand, positively cultivates Social Democrats.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) first seen 1893 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Waldersee in his diary, 22 June 1893
“The Emperor often lies to other people, but still more often to himself.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) said by 1904 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It suited Fürst Bismarck well to make me appear a hypocrite, a supporter of Stoecker, a black reactionary, an instigator of war, etc., etc., so that the average philistine felt a shudder, whenever my name was mentioned. Herr von Caprivi was pleased to blow on the same horn, and under his regime my reputation has not improved.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) first seen 1894 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Waldersee in October 1894, quoted in Maximilian Harden: Word portraits; character sketches of famous men and women
“Should I rise to higher rank, this happiness can never compare to that which I enjoy in possessing you. Everything else is vastly secondary to this one great happiness. You are the greatest gift which God has bestowed on me.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) first seen 1876 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: From Waldersee's letter to his wife Mary Lee, after being promoted to major-general, c. August 1876, quoted in Wade James Trosclair, Alfred von Waldersee, monarchist: his private life, public image, and the limits of hi…
“I pray to God that I may not have to live through what I see coming.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) first seen 1904 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The last entry in Waldersee's diary, dated 5 March 1904, the day of his death.
“We are living although the majority of the people do not realize it, in the midst of an immense revolution. What is radically wrong with our condition lies in the harsh contrast between rich and poor. This cannot go on forever, as we are human beings with human differences. No use is being made of religion, the only way towards alleviation and compensation; on the contrary, attempts are being deliberately made to excite the masses into asserting their equality with the middle and upper classes. The State contents itself with attempts to improve the material circumstances of the workers, with the only result that their covetousness has been intensified. The possibility of acquiring great sums of money by speculation has developed a fondness for luxury and enjoyment which has taken hold of wide circles. German family life is going to the dogs. Unfortunate marriages, divorces, youthful corruption, pleasure-seeking, the anxiety to seem richer than one is–all this is increasing terribly. In the lower classes of the great cities the demoralization has already reached a high degree ... The unequal distribution of wealth with all its consequences must lead in the end to a catastrophe.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) first seen 1890 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Waldersee in his diary, 9 November 1890
“The Jewish question will always remain a difficult one. In this case also the State should not take up the role of prosecutor and should not tolerate attacks by Christians upon the Jews; but it should not give the Jews the kind of protection they demand in their newspapers. It would be the most effective way of combatting Jewish doctrine for Christians to worship the Golden Calf less and to become simpler in their habits and in their desires. We should not forget that many Christians are as bad as the Jews in their covetousness and that they despoil as pitilessly anyone who falls into their hands.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) first seen 1890 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Waldersee in his diary, November 1890
“[Bismarck] asked me whether it would be desirable for us to march through Belgium, committing thereby a breach of neutrality. I explained that my advice must be against doing this whereas it seemed to me very much to be desired that France should operate through Belgium. The best thing for us, I maintained, would be that we should be at war with France and Russia simultaneously–the chances would be very good for us with Austria and Italy as our allies; whereas in a war with France alone Russia might be in a position to dictate to us the terms of peace. We were agreed that in the event of a war we must immediately take the offensive on the East, but not beyond Poland, and that we must then restore Poland.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) first seen 1888 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Waldersee in his diary, 10 July 1888
“England will soon show us her true face: It is a fight for existence between us. England wants to destroy Germany, her most serious rival in the world market, and, if not today or tomorrow, will do so soon, before the German fleet has been further strengthened. I do not believe that the matter will be taken so seriously in official circles with us. As in their way, the Liberal papers try to disguise the gravity of the situation; it is really too hard on them that their paragon, England, should want to break with free trade. A bitter revenge is now in store for those who have sought to turn Germany into an industrial country pure and simple.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) first seen 1904 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Waldersee in his diary, 19 February 1904, shortly before his death.
“I think then it is my duty, if I believe it is possible to avoid [a war], to do everything in my power to arrive at this goal. If Providence, however, imposed on us a war, I will have every hope to succeed in the task which is entrusted in me. I am familiar with Germany’s spirit of sacrifice. I know with such confidence they will march behind their young emperor. I am familiar also with our army and I am certain of its superiority. The other nations can adopt our tactical formations and our weapons, but what they cannot imitate is the moral force which is the principal element of the strength of the German army.”
Alfred von Waldersee (1832–1904) first seen 1888 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Waldersee, quoted in the Le Petit Parisien newspaper, c. 1888