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.

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

All punishments by which the human body might be maimed are barbarbarism.

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.

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

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.

I shall be an autocrat, that's my trade; and the good Lord will forgive me, that's his.

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

All this is only for the mice and myself to admire!

I praise loudly. I blame softly.