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

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.

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

I sincerely want peace, not because I lack resources for war, but because I hate bloodshed.

Power without a nation's confidence is nothing.

You were in a mood to quarrel. Please inform me once the inclination passes.