Portrait of Suleiman the Magnificent

Suleiman the Magnificent

Ottoman Sultan

Early Modern influential 14 sayings

Sayings by Suleiman the Magnificent

I am the sultan of love.

16th century (approx. 1520-1566) — In a letter, possibly to Roxelana.
Love & Relationships Unverifiable

I am the sultan of love.

16th century (approx. 1520-1566) — In a letter, possibly to Roxelana.
Love & Relationships Disputed

My sheer delight, my revelry, my feast, my torch, my sunshine, my sun in heaven;/ My orange, my pomegranate, the flaming candle that lights up my pavilion.

16th century (approx. 1520-1566) — From a poem written to his wife, Hürrem Sultan, under the pseudonym 'Muhibbi'.
Biblical Unverifiable

My sheer delight, my revelry, my feast, my torch, my sunshine, my sun in heaven;/ My orange, my pomegranate, the flaming candle that lights up my pavilion.

16th century (approx. 1520-1566) — From a poem written to his wife, Hürrem Sultan, under the pseudonym 'Muhibbi'.
Biblical Confirmed

If I die you are my killer, O merciless, infidel woman.

16th century (approx. 1520-1566) — From a poem written to his wife, Hürrem Sultan, under the pseudonym 'Muhibbi'.
Life & Death Unverifiable

If I die you are my killer, O merciless, infidel woman.

16th century (approx. 1520-1566) — From a poem written to his wife, Hürrem Sultan, under the pseudonym 'Muhibbi'.
Life & Death Disputed

The people think of wealth and power as the greatest fate, But in this world a spell of health is the best state. What men call sovereignty is a worldly strife and constant war; Worship of God is the highest throne, the happiest of all estates.

16th century (approx. 1520-1566) — A philosophical quote on the nature of sovereignty and happiness.
Biblical Unverifiable

The people think of wealth and power as the greatest fate, But in this world a spell of health is the best state. What men call sovereignty is a worldly strife and constant war; Worship of God is the highest throne, the happiest of all estates.

16th century (approx. 1520-1566) — A philosophical quote on the nature of sovereignty and happiness.
Biblical Confirmed

I, the sultan of sultans, the sovereign of sovereigns, the distributor of crowns to the monarchs of the globe, the shadow of God on earth...

c. 1525 — Official title in diplomatic correspondence
Biblical Unverifiable

I am the slave of God and the ruler of the world, and in my name the Friday sermon is read in Mecca and Medina. In Baghdad I am the shah, in Byzantine realms the Caesar, and in Egypt the sultan.

c. 1535 — Statement of imperial authority
Biblical Unverifiable

The people think of wealth and power as the greatest fate, but in this world a spell of health is the best state.

c. 1550 — From his poetry (as Muhibbi)
Money & Business Unverifiable

I am God's slave and sultan of this world. By the grace of God I am head of Muhammad's community.

c. 1525 — Standard imperial formula in documents
Biblical Unverifiable

The order of the world rests on the sword, and the sword's sharpness depends on the treasury.

c. 1540 — Attributed statement on military and financial policy
War & Conflict Unverifiable

I came, I saw, I conquered.

1521 — Reported adaptation of Caesar's phrase after Belgrade conquest (attributed)
War & Conflict Unverifiable

Let my son Mustafa be executed.

1553 — Order for execution of his eldest son
Wisdom Unverifiable

The sea is a great lord, and it does not suffer the existence of any other lords.

c. 1538 — Reported statement about naval power
Nature & World Unverifiable

I have made the Ottoman Empire feared by sea as well as by land.

c. 1540 — After naval victories in Mediterranean
Nature & World Unverifiable

The world is a bridge. Pass over it, but build no house upon it.

c. 1550 — Attributed philosophical statement (similar to others in Islamic tradition)
Wisdom Unverifiable
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