Elizabeth I Quotes (44 Quotes)

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

Must Is must, a word to be addressed to princesses.

The word must is not to be used to princes.

I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too.

God has given such brave soldiers to this Crown that, if they do not frighten our neighbours, at least they prevent us from being frightened by them.

He who placed me in this seat will keep me here.

The past cannot be cured.

I find that I sent wolves not shepherds to govern Ireland, for they have left me nothing but ashes and carcasses to reign over!

All my possessions for a moment of time.

I do not choose that my grave should be dug while I am still alive.

Although 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.

I do not want a husband who honours me as a queen, if he does not love me as a woman.

Monarchs ought to put to death the authors and instigators of war, as their sworn enemies and as dangers to their states.

Though I am not imperial, and though Elizabeth may not deserve it, the Queen of England will easily deserve to have an emperor's son to marry.

Those who appear the most sanctified are the worst.

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

I shall lend credit to nothing against my people which parents would not believe against their own children.

Ye may have a greater prince, but ye shall never have a more loving prince.

One man with a head on his shoulders is worth a dozen without.

Must! Is must a word to be addressed to princes? Little man, little man! Thy father, if he had been alive, durst not have used that word.

Brass shines as fair to the ignorant as gold to the goldsmiths.

A strength to harm is perilous in the hand of an ambitious head.

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.

The end crowneth the work.

Fear not, we are of the nature of the lion, and cannot descend to the destruction of mice and such small beasts.

If thy heart fails thee, climb not at all.

The stone often recoils on the head of the thrower.

I pray to God that I shall not live one hour after I have thought of using deception.

A fool too late bewares when all the peril is past.

A clear and innocent conscience fears nothing.

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.

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

I would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married.

There is one thing higher than Royalty: and that is religion, which causes us to leave the world, and seek God.

God forgive you, but I never can.

Do not tell secrets to those whose faith and silence you have not already tested.

Though the sex to which I belong is considered weak you will nevertheless find me a rock that bends to no wind.

I would rather go to any extreme than suffer anything that is unworthy of my reputation, or of that of my crown.

Where minds differ and opinions swerve there is scant a friend in that company.

There 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.

I have the heart of a man, not a woman, and I am not afraid of anything.

My mortal foe can no ways wish me a greater harm than England's hate; neither should death be less welcome unto me than such a mishap betide me.

Though God hath raised me high, yet this I count the glory of my crown that I have reigned with your loves.

If we still advise we shall never do.