Ivan the Terrible:

I am a sovereign, and I will not be ruled by my subjects!

— Ivan the Terrible Early Modern

First Tsar of Russia

Letter to Prince Andrei Kurbsky, asserting his absolute power.

1564

Verification

Unverifiable

Found in 1 providers: grok

Cross Reference

1 source

"The more blood, the more glory."

"The more blood, the stronger the throne."

"I will crush all rebellion with an iron fist."

"My soul is burdened, but my hand is firm."

"Treason is a disease that must be cut out with a sharp knife."