45 Quotes by Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great, also known as Catherine II, was one of Russia's most remarkable and influential monarchs. As Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796, she oversaw a period of significant expansion and modernization, solidifying her place as one of history's most successful female rulers. Catherine was a patron of the arts and culture, playing a crucial role in the Enlightenment's dissemination throughout Russia.
She corresponded with prominent philosophers like Voltaire and Diderot, advocating for progressive reforms and promoting education and social advancements. Under her rule, Russia experienced considerable territorial growth, including the acquisition of Crimea and parts of Poland. Catherine's reign is also marked by a series of administrative and legal reforms aimed at modernizing the country's governance and legal system.
While her reign was characterized by great achievements, she also faced criticism for her autocratic tendencies and the suppression of political dissent. Nevertheless, Catherine the Great remains an indomitable figure in history, admired for her intelligence, political acumen, and dedication to transforming Russia into a major European power.
Catherine the Great Quotes
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.
Nothing is more difficult, in my opinion, than to avoid something that fundamentally attracts you.
The more a man knows, the more he forgives.
In politics a capable ruler must be guided by circumstances, conjectures and conjunctions.
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 beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 those of any creature, man or beast, whose lips were not fresh awash in the currents of cigar smoke.'
I cannot live one day without love.
If I may venture to be frank I would say about myself that I was every inch a gentleman.
God, grant us our desires, and grant them quickly.
I will live to make myself not feared.
bad news travels faster than good.
Tell a thousand people to draft a letter, let them debate every phrase, and see how long it takes and what you get.
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.
The trouble is that my heart is loath to be without love even for a single hour. ... If you want to keep me forever, then show as much friendship as love, and more than anything else, love me and tell me the truth.
to tempt and be tempted are closely allied; and in spite of all the finest moral maxims buried in the mind, when emotion interferes, when feeling makes its appearance, one is already much further involved that one realizes, and I have still not learnt how to prevent its appearance.
The most sure, but at the same time the most difficult expedient to mend the morals of the people, is a perfect system of education.
self-interest usually brings injustice with it.
All punishments by which the human body might be maimed are barbarbarism.
If Russians knew how to read, they would write me off.
Your wits make others witty.
Men make love more intensely at 20, but make love better, however, at 30.
Assuredly men of merit are never lacking at any time, for those are the men who manage affairs, and it is affairs that produce the men. I have never searched, and I have always found under my hand the men who have served me, and for the most part I have been well served.
Praise is the only gift for which people are really grateful. Marguerite, Countess of Blessington I praise loudly; I blame softly.
I praise loudly and I blame softly.
In my position you have to read when you want to write and to talk when you would like to read.
What right can give anyone authority to inflict torture upon a citizen when it is still unknown whether he is innocent or guilty?
I like to praise and reward in a loud voice and to scold in a whisper.
I do not love strife, because I have always found that in the end each remains of the same opinion.
The use of torture is contrary to sound judgment and common sense. Humanity itself cries out against it, and demands it to be utterly abolished.
Your wit makes others witty.
― Catherine the Great Quotes
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
