I regret the unhappiness of princes who are slaves to forms and fettered by caution.

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.

we Princes are set as it were upon stages, in the sight and view of all the world. The least spot is soon spied in our garments, a blemish quickly noticed in our doings.

Have a care over my people. You have my people--do you that which I ought to do. They are my people.... See unto them--see unto them, for they are my charge.... I care not for myself; my life is not dear to me. My care is for my people. I pray God, whoever succeedeth me, be as careful of them as I am.

All my possessions for a moment of time.

Kings were wont to honour philosophers, but if I had such I would honour them as angels that should have such piety in them that they would not seek where they are the second to be the first, and where the third to be the second and so forth.

I do not so much rejoice that God hath made me to be a Queen, as to be a Queen over so thankful a people.