I find that I sent wolves not shepherds to govern Ireland, for they have left me nothing but ashes and carcasses to reign over!
Elizabeth IThe 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.
Elizabeth IAlthough I may not be a lioness, I am a lion's cub, and inherit many of his qualities; and as long as the King of France treats me gently he will find me as gentle and tractable as he can desire; but if he be rough, I shall take the trouble to be just as troublesome and offensive to him as I can.
Elizabeth II grieve and dare not show my discontent, I love and yet am forced to seem to hate, I do, yet dare not say I ever meant, I seem stark mute but inwardly do prate. I am and not, I freeze and yet am burned, Since from myself another self I turned. My care is like my shadow in the sun, Follows me flying, flies when I pursue it, Stands and lies by me, doth what I have done.
Elizabeth I[To Parliament, when it urged her to marry and settle the succession:] You attend to your own duties and I'll perform mine.
Elizabeth IAs for me, I see no such great cause why I should either be fond to live or fear to die. I have had good experience of this world, and I know what it is to be a subject and what to be a sovereign. Good neighbours I have had, and I have met with bad: and in trust I have found treason.
Elizabeth II pluck up the good lissome herbs of sentences by pruning, eat them by reading, digest them by musing, and lay them up at length in the high seat of memory.
Elizabeth IMonarchs ought to put to death the authors and instigators of war, as their sworn enemies and as dangers to their states.
Elizabeth II thank God I am endued with such qualities that if I were turned out of the Realm in my petticoat I were able to live in any place in Christendom.
Elizabeth IThere is one thing higher than Royalty: and that is religion, which causes us to leave the world, and seek God.
Elizabeth IThere is small disproportion betwixt a fool who useth not wit because he hath it not and him that useth it not when it should avail him.
Elizabeth IKings 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.
Elizabeth IMr. Doctor, that loose gown becomes you so well I wonder your notions should be so narrow.
Elizabeth IAnswer on being asked her opinion of Christ's presence in the Sacrament. 'Twas God the word that spake it, He took the Bread and brake it; And what the word did make it That I believe, and take it.
Elizabeth IThey best pass over the world who trip over it quickly; for it is but a bog. If we stop, we sink.
Elizabeth ILet the good service of well-deservers be never rewarded with loss. Let their thanks be such as may encourage more strivers for the like.
Elizabeth IThere is no marvel in a woman learning to speak, but there would be in teaching her to hold her tongue
Elizabeth IThere is nothing about which I am more anxious than my country, and for its sake I am willing to die ten deaths, if that be possible.
Elizabeth IWhen we hang on to resentments, we poison ourselves. As compulsive overeaters, we cannot afford resentment, since it exacerbates our disease.
Elizabeth II have seen many a man turn his gold into smoke, but you are the first who has turned smoke into gold.
Elizabeth IIf there were two princes in Christendom who had good will and courage, it would be very easy to reconcile the religious difficulties; there is only one Jesus Christ and one faith, and all the rest is a dispute over trifles.
Elizabeth ILet tyrants fear, I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects.
Elizabeth IIt has been always held for a special principle in friendship that prosperity provideth but adversity proveth friends.
Elizabeth I[To Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, on his return from self-imposed exile, occasioned by the embarrassing flatulence he had experienced in the presence of the Queen:] My Lord, I had forgot the fart.
Elizabeth IFor, what is a family without a steward, a ship without a pilot, a flock without a shepherd, a body without a head, the same, I think, is a kingdom without the health and safety of a good monarch.
Elizabeth IIf I follow the inclination of my nature, it is this: beggar-woman and single, far rather than queen and married.
Elizabeth I