If Russians knew how to read they would write me off.
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.
One does not always do the best there is. One does the best one can. – Catherine the Great
Nothing is more difficult, in my opinion, than to avoid something that fundamentally attracts you.
Men make love more intensely at 20, but make love better, however, at 30.
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.
God, grant us our desires, and grant them quickly.
I sincerely want peace, not because I lack resources for war, but because I hate bloodshed.
A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache.
Power without a nation’s confidence is nothing.
I like to praise and reward in a loud voice and to scold in a whisper.
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.
I am one of the people who love the why of things.
You were in a mood to quarrel. Please inform me once the inclination passes.
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.
In politics a capable ruler must be guided by circumstances, conjectures and conjunctions.
It is better to inspire a reform than to enforce it.
I have no way to defend my borders but to extend them.
Don’t worry about things you cannot alter.
In my position you have to read when you want to write and to talk when you would like to read.
Your wit makes others witty.
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