Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great
Catherine II of Russia, also known as Catherine the Great, was the most renowned and the longest-ruling female leader of Russia, reigning from 1762 until her death in 1796 at the age of 67. Born in Stettin, Pomerania, Prussia as Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg, she came to power following a coup d'état when her husband, Peter III, was assassinated. Russia was revitalized under her reign, growing larger and stronger than ever and becoming recognized as one of the great powers...
NationalityRussian
ProfessionRoyalty
Date of Birth2 May 1729
CitySzczecin, Poland
CountryRussian Federation
Catherine the Great quotes about
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.
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.
In my position you have to read when you want to write and to talk when you would like to read.
Tell a thousand people to draft a letter, let them debate every phrase, and see how long it takes and what you get.
I sincerely want peace, not because I lack resources for war, but because I hate bloodshed.
I cannot live one day without love.
Praise is the only gift for which people are really grateful. Marguerite, Countess of Blessington I praise loudly; I blame softly.
bad news travels faster than good.
I like to praise and reward in a loud voice and to scold in a whisper.
All punishments by which the human body might be maimed are barbarbarism.
What right can give anyone authority to inflict torture upon a citizen when it is still unknown whether he is innocent or guilty?
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 use of torture is contrary to sound judgment and common sense. Humanity itself cries out against it, and demands it to be utterly abolished.
If Russians knew how to read, they would write me off.