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.

The most sure, but at the same time the most difficult expedient to mend the morals of the people, is a perfect system of education.

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

You should know our mania for building is stronger than ever. It is a diabolical thing. It consumes money and the more you build, the more you want to build. It's a sickness like being addicted to alcohol.

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

All punishments by which the human body might be maimed are barbarbarism.