A government must not waiver once it has chosen its course. It

The words of Otto von Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor of Germany, resound like the strike of a hammer upon an anvil: “A government must not waiver once it has chosen its course. It must not look to the left or right but go forward.” These are not the idle musings of a philosopher—they are the battle-forged wisdom of a statesman who unified a fractured nation through iron will and unyielding vision. In this declaration, Bismarck speaks of resolve, of the sacred duty of leadership to pursue a chosen path with courage and clarity. For he understood that indecision is the enemy of greatness, and that hesitation in the halls of power is more dangerous than error itself. A people can forgive a wrong turn, but they cannot follow a leader who has lost his way.

At the heart of this quote lies the timeless virtue of steadfastness. To “not look to the left or right” is to resist the temptations of doubt, the distractions of criticism, and the paralysis of fear. In every age, the forces of hesitation whisper to those who lead—voices urging compromise, retreat, or comfort. Bismarck’s command is a rejection of those voices. He calls upon rulers to be like captains in a storm, holding firm to the compass even when the waves rise high. For governance, like navigation, requires conviction; without it, the ship drifts and the crew loses faith. To govern is not to please all, but to stand upon principle even when the winds of popularity shift.

The origin of these words comes from Bismarck’s own life—one carved out of conflict, strategy, and vision. As Minister-President of Prussia, he faced immense opposition from liberals, monarchists, and foreign powers. Yet he never faltered in his purpose: to forge a unified German state under Prussian leadership. He declared that the great questions of his time would not be decided by “speeches and majority votes,” but by “blood and iron.” When others wavered, he advanced. When the Reichstag resisted, he maneuvered. His clarity of purpose transformed a divided land of duchies and kingdoms into a single, powerful nation. He did not look to the left or right; he went forward—and in doing so, reshaped the destiny of Europe.

There is a lesson here that stretches far beyond politics. To commit to a course and follow it with discipline is the essence of achievement, whether for a government, a leader, or an individual soul. The greatest works of mankind—the building of nations, the discovery of truth, the creation of art—have never been born of hesitation. History’s heroes were those who chose their path and bore its weight. Alexander marched into Asia and never turned back. Lincoln faced a divided America and refused to yield until freedom prevailed. Churchill, standing alone against tyranny, rallied his people with unbreakable resolve. They all embodied the spirit of Bismarck’s words: once the course is chosen, there can be no turning aside.

Yet Bismarck’s wisdom also carries a warning. Determination without wisdom becomes tyranny. A course must be chosen carefully, guided by justice and the common good, not pride or ambition. For a blind march forward can lead to ruin as surely as indecision can lead to stagnation. The true leader, therefore, must be both steadfast and discerning—unshaken in purpose, but humble in counsel. Bismarck himself was no stranger to this balance; he was both ruthless in war and prudent in peace. After unifying Germany, he turned his energies toward diplomacy, preserving the peace of Europe through a network of alliances. He knew that the same iron will that forges a nation can also destroy it if not tempered by wisdom.

The deeper meaning of this quote, then, lies in moral courage—the courage to act, to decide, and to persist. For whether one governs a nation or guides a single life, there comes a moment when the path must be chosen and the heart must stand firm. In those moments, fear whispers, “Wait.” Doubt whispers, “Turn back.” But destiny answers, “Go forward.” Bismarck’s words are a summons to that inner strength—the power to endure criticism, to bear uncertainty, and to move toward the goal even when the outcome is unseen. The one who leads with conviction becomes a pillar for others to lean upon; the one who hesitates becomes a shadow lost to time.

So let this wisdom be passed down like the teachings of the ancients: once you have chosen your course, move forward with integrity and resolve. In life, as in governance, greatness is not granted to those who drift, but to those who decide. Choose your purpose with care, and then bind yourself to it as a soldier binds himself to his oath. Let neither praise nor blame distract you; let neither comfort nor fear divert your step. For the path of progress, once chosen, demands devotion. And as Bismarck proved with his life, the one who goes forward with unwavering courage may change not only his fate, but the fate of nations.