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
In my position you have to read when you want to write and to talk when you would like to read.
You were in a mood to quarrel. Please inform me once the inclination passes.
Tell a thousand people to draft a letter, let them debate every phrase, and see how long it takes and what you get.
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.
I sincerely want peace, not because I lack resources for war, but because I hate bloodshed.
I cannot live one day without love.
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.
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.
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.