Quote collection
48 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"In politics a capable ruler must be guided by circumstances, conjectures and conjunctions."
"The more a man knows, the more he forgives."
"Nothing is more difficult, in my opinion, than to avoid something that fundamentally attracts you."
"A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache."
"I sincerely want peace, not because I lack resources for war, but because I hate bloodshed."
"One does not always do the best there is. One does the best one can."
"it is better to inspire a reform than to enforce it."
"Power without a nation's confidence is nothing."
"I shall be an autocrat: that's my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that's his."
"I am one of the people who love the why of things."
"To tempt, and to be tempted, are things very nearly allied, and, in spite of the finest maxims of morality impressed upon the mind, 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, and I have yet to learn how it is possible to prevent its being excited."
"I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster."
"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."
"I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly."
"Don't worry about things you cannot alter"
"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."
"You were in a mood to quarrel. Please inform me once the inclination passes."