Catherine the Great

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.

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.

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.

I have no way to defend my borders but to extend them.

“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.

Possessions are always secondary, loved ones are all that matters.

The finest clothing made is a person’s own skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this.

Patriotism is a pernicious, psychopathic form of idiocy.

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

People say time heals all wounds. Let me tell you, time heals nothing. You can do the wrong thing for 10 years and it doesn’t equal the right thing for one day.

They said eyes are the key to the soul, and after looking into yours, I know you’ve unlocked mine.

Like all things vast and beautiful, I want to know the depths of which you exist. It has never been enough to wade in the shallows.

Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today.

“He who angers you, conquers you.” – Elizabeth Kenny

No, I’m not anguished and tormented.

I love life, but not everything in it. I love people, but not all of them. I love myself, but not everything about me.

If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living.

The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.

We now know that anything which is economically right is also morally right. There can be no conflict between good economics and good morals.

I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.