What right can give anyone authority to inflict torture upon a citizen when it is still unknown whether he is innocent or guilty?

Happiness and unhappiness are in the heart and spirit of each one of us: If you feel unhappy, then place yourself above that and act so that your happiness does not get to be dependent on anything.

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 beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster.

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 like to praise and reward in a loud voice and to scold in a whisper.

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