Frederick the Great
Frederick the Great
Frederick IIwas King of Prussia from 1740 until 1786. His most significant accomplishments during his reign included his military victories, his reorganization of Prussian armies, his patronage of the Arts and the Enlightenment in Prussia, and his final success against great odds in the Seven Years' War. Frederick was the last titled King in Prussia and declared himself King of Prussia after achieving full sovereignty for all historical Prussian lands. Prussia had greatly increased its territories and became a leading...
ProfessionRoyalty
Date of Birth24 January 1712
agreement people politics
My people and I have come to an agreement which satisfies us both. They are to do what they please, and I am to do what I please.
happiness book humans
Books make up no small part of human happiness.
country men atheism
Theologians are all alike, of whatever religion or country they may be; their aim is always to wield despotic authority over men's consciences; they therefore persecute all of us who have the temerity to tell the truth.
christian eating treats
N]either antiquity nor any other nation has imagined a more atrocious and blasphemous absurdity than that of eating God. This is how Christians treat the autocrat of the universe.
impossible imitation
It is impossible to imitate Voltaire without being Voltaire.
despair should
One should never despair too soon.
kings firsts states
A king is the first servant and first magistrate of the state.
europe imagination romance
Christianity - An old metaphysical romance, filled with marvels, contradictions, and absurdity, born in the ardent imagination of Orientals, has spread into our Europe. Enthusiasts have purveyed it, careerists have pretended to accept it, imbeciles have believed it.
vanity water fifty
Euler calculated the force of the wheels necessary to raise the water in a reservoir ... My mill was carried out geometrically and could not raise a drop of water fifty yards from the reservoir. Vanity of vanities! Vanity of geometry!
country truth analysis
I have no fault to find with those who teach geometry. That science is the only one which has not produced sects; it is founded on analysis and on synthesis and on the calculus; it does not occupy itself with the probable truth; moreover it has the same method in every country.
prussia philosopher ifs
If I wished to punish a province, I would have it governed by philosophers.
kings may reincarnation
Though I may not be a king in my future life, so much the better: I shall nevertheless live an active life and, on top of it, earn less ingratitude.
army firsts prussia
It has been said by a certain general, that the first object in the establishment of an army ought to be making provision for the belly, that being the basis and foundation of all operations
defeated
It is pardonable to be defeated, but never to be surprised.