you must be gay; only thus can life be endured. I speak from experience for I have had to endure much, and have only been able to endure it because I have always laughed whenever I had the chance.

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.

Tell a thousand people to draft a letter, let them debate every phrase, and see how long it takes and what you get.

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.

Your wit makes others witty.

If Russians knew how to read, they would write me off.

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