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.

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.

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

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

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

If thy heart fails thee, climb not at all.

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.

A clear and innocent conscience fears nothing.

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

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.

If we still advise we shall never do.

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

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.

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

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

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 stone often recoils on the head of the thrower.

The word must is not to be used to princes.

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

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

Those who appear the most sanctified are the worst.

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

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.

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

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

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

The past cannot be cured.

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

God forgive you, but I never can.

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

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

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

All my possessions for a moment of time.

The end crowneth the work.

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

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.

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

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