If there were to be a war he would rather have them against him than on his side.

He must find help abroad; Austria had overcome Prussia by the alliance with Russia.

Surely the only thing to be done was to seek support where it could be got, either with Russia or with France, if possible with both.

In this he was only reverting to the old policy of Prussia; the alliance with Austria had only begun in 1813.

From now until 1866 his whole policy was ceaselessly devoted to bringing about such a disposition of the forces of Europe that Austria might be left without allies and Prussia be able to regain the upper hand in German affairs.
The change was in his circumstances, not in his character; as before he was moved by a consuming passion of patriotism; something there was too of personal feeling,--his own pride, his own ambitions were engaged, though this was as nothing compared to love of his country and loyalty to the King.