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. — Catherine the Great Copy Share Image
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… — Catherine the Great Copy Share Image
I shall be an autocrat: that's my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that's his. — Catherine the Great Copy Share Image
If I may venture to be frank I would say about myself that I was every inch a gentleman. — Catherine the Great Copy Share Image
In politics a capable ruler must be guided by circumstances, conjectures and conjunctions. — Catherine the Great Copy Share Image
What right can give anyone authority to inflict torture upon a citizen when it is still unknown whether he is innocent or guilty? — Catherine the Great Copy Share Image
I may be kindly, I am ordinarily gentle, but in my line of business I am obliged to will terribly what I will at… — Catherine the Great Copy Share Image
The trouble is that my heart is loath to be without love even for a single hour. ... If you want to keep me… — Catherine the Great Copy Share Image
All or nothing. If I commit myself to you, you must commit yourself to me! — Catherine The Great Copy Share Image
Any man who doesn't partake in cigar smoking is nothing more than a weak-willed, meandering oaf, and I would never put my lips to… — Catherine the Great Copy Share Image
the title of Queen rang sweet to my ears, child though I was. ... This idea of a crown began running in my head… — Catherine the Great Copy Share Image
I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster. — Catherine the Great Copy Share Image
