Elizabeth I

God forgive you, but I never can.

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

God forgive you, but I never can.

— Elizabeth I

The past cannot be cured.

— Elizabeth I

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.

— Elizabeth I

God forgive you, but I never can.

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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.

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

If thy heart fails thee, climb not at all.

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

Those who appear the most sanctified are the worst.

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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.

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

If we still advise we shall never do.

— Elizabeth I

The stone often recoils on the head of the thrower.

— Elizabeth I

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.

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

A clear and innocent conscience fears nothing.

— Elizabeth I

As for my own part I care not for death, for all men are mortal; and though I be a woman yet I have as good a courage answerable to my place as ever my father had. I am your anointed Queen. I will never be by violence constrained to do anything. I thank God I am indeed endowed 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 I

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

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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.

— Elizabeth I

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.

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

The end crowneth the work.

— Elizabeth I

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.

— Elizabeth I

All my possessions for a moment of time.

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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.

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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 I

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

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

The word must is not to be used to princes.

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

God forgive you, but I never can.

— Elizabeth I

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

— Elizabeth I

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.

— Elizabeth I