Peter the Great

It is not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.

I shall make Russia great, even if I have to hang half of it.

The pen is mightier than the sword, but only if the sword is at the service of the pen.

I am the head of the church, but I am also a servant of God.

I do not know what is good for Russia, but I know what is not.

It is better to err on the side of severity than on the side of leniency.

I have no fear of consequences, only of inaction.

We need Europe for a few decades; then we must turn our back on it.

Drunkenness is the ruin of mankind; it destroys families and states.

Let the women see the world, for they have been locked up long enough.

It is a great sin to torture animals without need.

I know I have the vices of a man, but I have the virtues of a tsar.

Why do you come to me? Go to the Senate; they make the laws.

A ruler that has only an army has one hand, but he who has a navy has both.

I shall cut a window through to Europe.

Do not spare the ships; they will be built again.

The beard is a useless burden.

I prefer to have 100,000 enemies abroad than one at home.

The more you beat me, the more I will love you.

We are not in the habit of giving away cities.