Men make love more intensely at 20, but make love better, however, at 30.
Catherine the Great
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 the Great
In politics a capable ruler must be guided by circumstances, conjectures and conjunctions.
Catherine the Great
I shall be an autocrat: that's my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that's his.
Catherine the Great
Power without a nation's confidence is nothing.
Catherine the Great
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.