Otto von Bismarck-Schönhausen (Reichskanzler of Germany, 1871 - 1890), after his resignation in 1890.

The National Park Service released some early Edison phonograph recordings that capture the earliest words of Imperial Chancellor Prince Otto von Bismarck in 1889.

Do everything in moderation and morality, namely work, but then also eating, and apart from that especially drinking. Advice of a father to his son.
– Otto von Bismarck on Oct. 7, 1889 

The best part of this recording to me is the last few lines where Bismarck imparts some words of wisdom to his son, Herbert von Bismarck. Interestingly enough, a fallout between Otto and Herbert in 1881 over the son’s desire to marry an older Catholic divorcee drove Herbert to alcoholism, possibly the target of the last few words from Otto.