I sincerely want peace, not because I lack resources for war, but because I hate bloodshed.
I like to praise and reward in a loud voice and to scold in a whisper.
I may be kindly, I am ordinarily gentle, but in my line of business I am obliged to will terribly what I will at all.
All this is only for the mice and myself to admire!
Tell a thousand people to draft a letter, let them debate every phrase, and see how long it takes and what you get.
In politics a capable ruler must be guided by circumstances, conjectures and conjunctions.
A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache.
Nothing is more difficult, in my opinion, than to avoid something that fundamentally attracts you.
You were in a mood to quarrel. Please inform me once the inclination passes.
If Russians knew how to read they would write me off.
It is better to inspire a reform than to enforce it.
Your wit makes others witty.
For to tempt and to be tempted are things very nearly allied – whenever feeling has anything to do in the matter, no sooner is it excited than we have already gone vastly farther than we are aware of.
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 shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.
You philosophers are lucky men. You write on paper and paper is patient. Unfortunate Empress that I am, I write on the susceptible skins of living beings.
The title of Queen rang sweet to my ears, child though I was. … This idea of a crown began running in my head then like a tune, and has been running a lot in it ever since.
Don’t worry about things you cannot alter.
I am one of the people who love the why of things.
In my position you have to read when you want to write and to talk when you would like to read.
“You should know our mania for building is stronger than ever. It is a diabolical thing. It consumes money and the more you build, the more you want to build. It’s a sickness like being addicted to alcohol.
Next Page »
