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.

Power without a nation's confidence is nothing.

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

Your wit makes others witty.

it is better to inspire a reform than to enforce it.

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

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.