Experience shows that the frequent use of severe punishment has never rendered a people better. The death of a criminal is a less effective means of restraining crimes than the permanent example of a man deprived of his liberty during the whole of his life to make amends for the injury he has done to the public.

In politics a capable ruler must be guided by circumstances, conjectures and conjunctions.

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.

self-interest usually brings injustice with it.

bad news travels faster than good.

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

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