Portrait of Elizabeth I

Elizabeth I

English queen, Golden Age

Early Modern influential 117 sayings

Sayings by Elizabeth I

I am not afraid to die, for I am going to my Father.

1603 — Deathbed utterance (disputed)
Wisdom Unverifiable

I have desired to live to see this day, wherein I have found by experience that I have a good God, and a loving people.

1601 — Golden Speech
Wisdom Unverifiable

The prince that will absolutely command, must be absolute among his own.

Uncertain — Reported saying
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

Power, I know, can be abused.

Uncertain — Reported saying
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

I have a heart that is not afraid to die.

Uncertain — Reported saying
Love & Relationships Unverifiable

I am but a poor woman, but I have a heart that is faithful to God and to my country.

Uncertain — Reported saying
Biblical Unverifiable

I have no other good than to do good.

Uncertain — Reported saying
Wisdom Unverifiable

I will never break my word.

Uncertain — Reported saying
Wisdom Unverifiable

My crown is not a thing of gold, but of thorns.

Uncertain — Reported saying
Wisdom Unverifiable

I would rather be remembered for my wisdom than for my beauty.

Uncertain — Reported saying
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king.

1588 — Speech at Tilbury facing the Spanish Armada
General Unverifiable

God forgive you, but I never can.

1603 — To the Countess of Nottingham on her deathbed
Religious Unverifiable

I will make a difference, and I will be worthy of my place.

1558 — Reported by William Camden, 'Annales Rerum Gestarum Angliae et Hiberniae regnante Elizabetha'
General Unverifiable

God forgive you, but you have deceived me.

1578 — To Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, after learning of his secret marriage to Lettice Knollys
General Unverifiable

This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

1588 — Upon hearing of the defeat of the Spanish Armada
General Unverifiable

I am not so much wedded to my will but that I can be content to follow the counsel of my friends.

1558 — Reported by William Camden
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

Though you have had many glorious and victorious princes, yet you never had any that has loved you better or been more careful of your weal than I have been.

1601 — Golden Speech to Parliament
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

I am resolved to live and die a virgin.

1564 — Reported by Sir James Melville, referring to her marriage prospects
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

I count myself as one of the best and most fortunate women in the world, that am yet alive, and not in such cases as I have been in.

1554 — Letter to her sister Mary during her imprisonment
Self-Deprecating Unverifiable

I will be good to you, good to your children, and good to your posterity.

1601 — To Parliament during her Golden Speech
General Unverifiable
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