Catherine the Great

I believe in God, but I do not believe in priests.

I shall die as I have lived, with a pen in my hand.

The only way to save a nation from itself is to give it a good head.

I would rather be a great grandmother than a great empress.

I have always been convinced that the world is governed by chance, and that we are all but instruments in the hands of fate.

I am an autocrat, but I am also a philosopher.

I am not afraid of anything, for I know that I have done my duty.

I have always loved to read, and I have always loved to learn.

I would rather be a good empress than a good woman.

I am a Russian, and I will die a Russian.

I have always tried to be useful to my country.

I am not a saint, and I have never pretended to be one.

I have always believed that a sovereign should be a philosopher.

I have always been a friend to liberty, but I have never been a friend to license.

I am a woman, but I am also an empress.

I have always tried to do what is best for my country, even if it is not popular.

I am not a tyrant, but I am a firm ruler.

I have always been a lover of peace, but I am not afraid of war.

I am a woman, but I have the strength of a man.

I have always tried to be just, but I have also been merciful.