Catherine II of Russia quotes

Catherine II of Russia was a German-born empress who became one of the most influential rulers of the Russian Empire. Her reign is known as the era of Russian Enlightenment, marked by major reforms and expansion of territories. She transformed Russia into a leading European power and is remembered as Catherine the Great. Here are 34 of her quotes:

A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache.

Catherine II of Russia

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.

Catherine II of Russia

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

Catherine II of Russia

Your wit makes others witty.

Catherine II of Russia

The more a man knows, the more he forgives.

Catherine II of Russia

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

Catherine II of Russia

I praise loudly and I blame softly.

Catherine II of Russia

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.

Catherine II of Russia

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

Catherine II of Russia

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

Catherine II of Russia

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.

Catherine II of Russia

If Russians knew how to read, they would write me off.

Catherine II of Russia

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.

Catherine II of Russia

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

Catherine II of Russia

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.

Catherine II of Russia

From the age of ten, Peter III was partial to drink.

Catherine II of Russia

No Man ought to be looked upon as guilty, before he has received his judicial Sentence; nor can the Laws deprive him of their Protection, before it is proved that he has forfeited all Right to it. What Right therefore can Power give to any to inflict Punishment upon a Citizen at a Time, when it is yet dubious, whether he is Innocent or guilty?

Catherine II of Russia

It is better to be subject to the Laws under one Master, than to be subservient to many.

Catherine II of Russia

The political Liberty of a Citizen is the Peace of Mind arising from the Consciousness, that every Individual enjoys his peculiar Safety; and in order that the People might attain this Liberty, the Laws ought to be so framed, that no one Citizen should stand in Fear of another; but that all of them should stand in Fear of the same Laws....

Catherine II of Russia

The Sovereign is absolute; for there is no other Authority but that which centers in his single Person, that can act with a Vigour proportionate to the Extent of such a vast Dominion. The Extent of the Dominion requires an absolute Power to be vested in that Person who rules over it. It is expedient so to be, that the quick Dispatch of Affairs, sent from distant Parts, might make ample Amends for the Delay occasioned by the great Distance of the Places. Every other Form of Government whatsoever would not only have been prejudicial to Russia, but would even have proved its entire Ruin.

Catherine II of Russia

What is the true End of Monarchy? Not to deprive People of their natural Liberty; but to correct their Actions, in order to attain the supreme Good. The Form of Government, therefore, which best attains this End, and at the same Time sets less Bounds than others to natural Liberty, is that which coincides with the Views and Purposes of rational Creatures, and answers the End, upon which we ought to fix a steadfast Eye in the Regulations of civil Polity.

Catherine II of Russia