36 Catherine The Great Quotes That Still Have Relevance
Catherine II of Russia who is also known as ‘Catherine the Great’ was one of the few female rulers of the time who ruled Russia for the longest period. She was one of the most influential rulers of Russia which helped in expanding Russian borders. Under her rule, Russian empire was extended to south and west which added territories including Crimea, Belarus and Lithuania. Being a social and political reformer, she organized the Legislative Commission to arrange Russian law and in the process modified Russia and had great influence in modernizing Russia. ‘The Catherine’ era was also known as the ‘Golden era of Russian Empire’ and Russian Nobility. During this period, she constructed mansions for the nobility, ‘The Freedom Manifesto of the Nobility’ was issued and Catherine approved to free Russian nobles from military services and thus changed the face of Russia. Catherine had great interest in education and culture. Reading was her favorite pastime. She also maintained a good relation with Voltaire and Diderot; two of the most prominent thinkers of that time. As a strong supporter of art, she supported the idea of ‘The Enlightment’ and it was during this time that the ‘Smolny Institute’ (the first stated financed higher education institution for women) was established. During her long rule, she spoke about various spheres of life and politics. We have curated some of the most relevant and famous quotes and thoughts buy Catherine the Great.
All punishments by which the human body might be maimed are barbarbarism.
One does not always do the best there is. One does the best one can.
I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster.
It is better to inspire a reform than to enforce it.
Power without a nation's confidence is nothing.
A great wind is blowing and that either gives you imagination...or a headache.
I am one of the people who love the why of things.
Nothing is more difficult, in my opinion, than to avoid something that fundamentally attracts you.
If Russians knew how to read they would write me off.
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.
I like to praise and reward in a loud voice and to scold in a whisper.
I praise loudly. I blame softly.
You were in a mood to quarrel. Please inform me once the inclination passes.
A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache.
The more a man knows, the more he forgives.
I sincerely want peace, not because I lack resources for war, but because I hate bloodshed.
I have no way to defend my borders but to extend them.
You should know our mania for building is stronger than ever. It is a diabolical thing. It consumes money and the more you build, the more you want to build. It's a sickness like being addicted to alcohol.
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.
Experience shows that the frequent use of severe punishment has never rendered a people better. The death of a criminal is a less effective means of restraining crimes than the permanent example of a man deprived of his liberty during the whole of his life to make amends for the injury he has done to the public.
Don't worry about things you cannot alter
I shall be an autocrat: that's my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that's his.
God, grant us our desires, and grant them quickly.
The laws ought to be so framed as to secure the safety of every citizen as much as possible. ... Political liberty does not consist in the notion that a man may do whatever he pleases; liberty is the right to do whatsoever the laws allow. ... The equality of the citizens consists in that they should all be subject to the same laws.
Tell a thousand people to draft a letter, let them debate every phrase, and see how long it takes and what you get.
All this is only for the mice and myself to admire!
Very early it was noticed that I had a good memory; therefore I was insistently tormented with learning everything by heart.
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.
In my position you have to read when you want to write and to talk when you would like to read.
The title of Queen rang sweet to my ears, child though I was. ... This idea of a crown began running in my head then like a tune, and has been running a lot in it ever since.
