[On Peter III:] He did not have a bad heart; but a weak man usually has not.

All punishments by which the human body might be maimed are barbarbarism.

I may be kindly, I am ordinarily gentle, but in my line of business I am obliged to will terribly what I will at all.

In my position you have to read when you want to write and to talk when you would like to read.

I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.

The laws ought to be so framed as to secure the safety of every citizen as much as possible. ... Political liberty does not consist in the notion that a man may do whatever he pleases; liberty is the right to do whatsoever the laws allow. ... The equality of the citizens consists in that they should all be subject to the same laws.

Praise is the only gift for which people are really grateful. Marguerite, Countess of Blessington I praise loudly; I blame softly.