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 tha….

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 mak….

bad news travels faster than good..

To tempt, and to be tempted, are things very nearly allied, and, in spite of the finest maxims of morality impressed upon the mind, whenever feeling ….

Power without a nation's confidence is nothing..

In my position you have to read when you want to write and to talk when you would like to read..

The more a man knows, the more he forgives..

I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly..

God, grant us our desires, and grant them quickly..

I will live to make myself not feared..

Your wit makes others witty..

self-interest usually brings injustice with it..

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..

In politics a capable ruler must be guided by circumstances, conjectures and conjunctions..

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 be….

Tell a thousand people to draft a letter, let them debate every phrase, and see how long it takes and what you get..

Your wits make others witty..

it is better to inspire a reform than to enforce it..

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..