to tempt and be tempted are closely allied; and in spite of all the finest moral maxims buried in the mind, when emotion interferes, when feeling makes its appearance, one is already much further involved that one realizes, and I have still not learnt how to prevent its appearance.

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

The use of torture is contrary to sound judgment and common sense. Humanity itself cries out against it, and demands it to be utterly abolished.

You philosophers are lucky men. You write on paper and paper is patient. Unfortunate Empress that I am, I write on the susceptible skins of living beings.

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.

Nothing is more difficult, in my opinion, than to avoid something that fundamentally attracts you.

I do not love strife, because I have always found that in the end each remains of the same opinion.