A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache.
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.
If Russians knew how to read they would write me off.
All punishments by which the human body might be maimed are barbarbarism.
Power without a nation’s confidence is nothing.
I like to praise and reward in a loud voice and to scold in a whisper.
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.
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.
God, grant us our desires, and grant them quickly.
I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster.
“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.
One does not always do the best there is. One does the best one can. – Catherine the Great
Tell a thousand people to draft a letter, let them debate every phrase, and see how long it takes and what you get.
Very early it was noticed that I had a good memory; therefore I was insistently tormented with learning everything by heart.
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.
The more a man knows, the more he forgives.
All this is only for the mice and myself to admire!
I sincerely want peace, not because I lack resources for war, but because I hate bloodshed.
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.
« Previous Page
