Top 17 Quotes by Catherine the Great

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

Your wit makes others witty.

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.

The more a man knows, the more he forgives.

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 like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.

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

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

I praise loudly. I blame softly.

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.