Did Catherine the Great really say 'I prefer to be feared than loved, if I cannot be both.'?

Catherine the Great Quote Source & Citation:

I prefer to be feared than loved, if I cannot be both.

— Catherine the Great Early Modern · Russian Empress, expansion

Click any product to generate a realistic preview (~30s). Up to 3 at a time.

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

"I have a great sense of humor, and I like to laugh."

"I shall be an autocrat: that's my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that's his."

"I did not choose Russia. Russia chose me."

"I shall be a despot, but a benevolent one."

Reported remark, often attributed to Machiavelli, but also associated with Catherine

Date: c. 1760s

Shocking

Unverifiable

Found in 1 providers: grok

1 source checked