I sincerely want peace, not because I lack resources for war, but because I hate bloodshed.
Madame, you must be gay; only thus can life be endured. I speak from experience for I have had to endure much, and have only been able to endure it because I have always laughed whenever I had the chance.
A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache.
If Russians knew how to read they would write me off.
The laws ought to be so framed as to secure the safety of every citizen as much as possible. … Political liberty does not consist in the notion that a man may do whatever he pleases; liberty is the right to do whatsoever the laws allow. … The equality of the citizens consists in that they should all be subject to the same laws.
It is better to inspire a reform than to enforce it.
You were in a mood to quarrel. Please inform me once the inclination passes.
Power without a nation’s confidence is nothing.
Don’t worry about things you cannot alter.
Your wit makes others witty.
Tell a thousand people to draft a letter, let them debate every phrase, and see how long it takes and what you get.
In my position you have to read when you want to write and to talk when you would like to read.
I have no way to defend my borders but to extend them.
I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster.
Very early it was noticed that I had a good memory; therefore I was insistently tormented with learning everything by heart.
Happiness and unhappiness are in the heart and spirit of each one of us: If you feel unhappy, then place yourself above that and act so that your happiness does not get to be dependent on anything.
The more a man knows, the more he forgives.
I shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.
Experience shows that the frequent use of severe punishment has never rendered a people better. The death of a criminal is a less effective means of restraining crimes than the permanent example of a man deprived of his liberty during the whole of his life to make amends for the injury he has done to the public.
I am one of the people who love the why of things.
If I may venture to be frank I would say about myself that I was every inch a gentleman …
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