The more a man knows, the more he forgives.

I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster.

Your wit makes others witty.

In my position you have to read when you want to write and to talk when you would like to read.

I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.

Men make love more intensely at 20, but make love better, however, at 30 – Men make love more intensely at 20, but make love better, however, at 30 – Catherine II of Russia

In politics a capable ruler must be guided by circumstances, conjectures and conjunctions

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...

I am one of the people who love the why of things.

I shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.