To be a king and wear a crown is a thing more glorious to them that see it than it is pleasant to them that bear it.

Where might is mixed with wit, there is too good an accord in a government.

The word must is not to be used to princes.

It is a natural virtue incident to our sex to be pitiful of those that are afflicted.

The use of sea and air is common to all; neither can a title to the ocean belong to any people or private persons, forasmuch as neither nature nor public use and custom permit any possession therof.

[I]n the end this shall be for me sufficient, that a marble stone shall declare that a Queen, having reigned such a time, lived and died a virgin.

There is a close tie of affection between sovereigns and their subjects; and as chaste wives should have no eyes but for their husbands, so faithful liegemen should keep their regards at home and not look after foreign crowns. For my part I like not for my sheep to wear a stranger's mark nor to dance after a foreigner's whistle.