Wilhelm II

Image of Wilhelm II
It is the soldier and the army, not parliamentary majorities and decisions, that have welded the German Empire together. I put my trust in the army.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Army
Image of Wilhelm II
A Jew cannot be a true patriot. He is something different, like a bad insect. He must be kept apart, out of a place where he can do mischief - even by pogroms, if necessary. The Jews are responsible for Bolshevism in Russia, and Germany too. I was far too indulgent with them during my reign, and I bitterly regret the favors I showed the prominent Jewish bankers.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Regret
Image of Wilhelm II
I look upon the People and the Nation as handed on to me as an responsibility conferred upon me by God, and I believe, as it is written in the Bible, that it is my duty to increase this heritage for which one day I shall be called upon to give an account. Whoever tries to interfere with my task I shall crush.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Crush
Image of Wilhelm II
Paris for lunch, dinner in St. Petersburg.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Lunch
Image of Wilhelm II
We have conquered for ourselves a place in the sun. It will now be my task to see to it that this place in the sun remains our undisputed possession, for our future lies upon the water.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Lying
Image of Wilhelm II
For the first time, I am ashamed to be a German.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Firsts
Image of Wilhelm II
Woe and death to all who resist my will!
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Woe
Image of Wilhelm II
Germany must have her place in the sun.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Germany
Image of Wilhelm II
Our German Fatherland to which I hope will be granted... to become in the future as closely united, as powerful, and as authoritative as once the Roman world-empire was, and that, just as in the old times they said, Civis romanus sum, hereafter, at some time in the future, they will say, I am a German citizen.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Powerful
Image of Wilhelm II
I see myself as an instrument of the Almighty and go on my way, regardless of transient opinions and views.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Views
Image of Wilhelm II
You English are like mad bulls... you see red everywhere! What on earth has come over you, to heap on us such suspicion as is unworthy of a great nation. I regard this as a personal insult... You make it uncommonly difficult for a man to remain friendly to England.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Men
Image of Wilhelm II
You will come home before the leaves have fallen from the trees.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Military
Image of Wilhelm II
Should you encounter the enemy, he will be defeated! No quarter will be given! Prisoners will not be taken! Whoever falls into your hands is forfeited. Just as a thousand years ago the Huns under their King Attila made a name for themselves, one that even today makes them seem mighty in history and legend, may the name German be affirmed by you in such a way in China that no Chinese will ever again dare to look cross-eyed at a German.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Kings
Image of Wilhelm II
Called to the throne of my fathers, I have taken over the government, looking to the King of all kings, and have vowed to God, following the example of my father, to be a righteous and gentle prince, to foster piety and the fear of God, to maintain peace, to further the welfare of the country, to be a help to the poor and oppressed, and to be to the righteous man a true protector.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Country
Image of Wilhelm II
The tsar [Nicholas II] is not treacherous but he is weak. Weakness is not treachery, but it fulfils all its functions.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Weakness
Image of Wilhelm II
England must have the mask of Christian peaceableness [peacefulness] torn publicly from her face... Our consuls in Turkey and India, agents, etc. must inflame the whole Muslim world to wild revolt against this hateful, lying, conscienceless people of hagglers. For even if we are to be bled to death, at least England shall lose India.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Christian
Image of Wilhelm II
I am not a man who believes that we Germans bled and conquered thirty years ago [to be] pushed aside when great international decisions are made. If that were to happen, the place of Germany as a world power would be gone for ever. I am not prepared to let that happen.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Believe
Image of Wilhelm II
I am the emperor of Germany, but you are the emperor of chefs.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Food
Image of Wilhelm II
Germany's greatness makes it impossible for her to do without the ocean, but the ocean also proves that even in the distance, and on its farther side, without Germany and the German Emperor, no great decision dare henceforth be taken.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: War
Image of Wilhelm II
Just as the Huns under their king Attila created for themselves a thousand years ago a name which men still respect, you should give the name of German such cause to be remembered in China that no Chinaman will dare look a German in the face.
- Wilhelm II
Collection: Kings