Power without a nation's confidence is nothing.

the title of Queen rang sweet to my ears, child though I was. ... This idea of a crown began running in my head then like a tune, and has been running a lot in it ever since.

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.

What right can give anyone authority to inflict torture upon a citizen when it is still unknown whether he is innocent or guilty?

The trouble is that my heart is loath to be without love even for a single hour. ... If you want to keep me forever, then show as much friendship as love, and more than anything else, love me and tell me the truth.

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

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