Elizabeth I Quotations | Page 2

Princes have big ears which hear far and near.

I cannot find it in me to fear a man who took ten years a learning of his alphabet.

My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourself to armed multitudes for fear of treachery; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people....I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a King of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any Prince of Europe should dare to invade the borders of my realm.

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

Mr. Doctor, that loose gown becomes you so well I wonder your notions should be so narrow.

There is nothing in the world I hold in greater horror than to see a body moving against its head: and I shall be very careful notto ally myself with such a monster.

A clear and innocent conscience fears nothing.

I have no desire to make windows into mens souls.

Let the good service of well-deservers be never rewarded with loss. Let their thanks be such as may encourage more strivers for the like.

I would not open windows into men's souls.

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.

The past cannot be cured.

I observe and remain silent.

And therefore I am come amongst you at this time, not as for my recreation or sport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down, for my God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honour and my blood, even the dust. I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king, and of a king of England, too.

Be always faithful to me, as I always desire to keep you in peace; and if there have been wiser kings, none has ever loved you more than I have.

I 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.

I 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.

I will have but one mistress and no master

I have seen many a man turn his gold into smoke, but you are the first who has turned smoke into gold.

If I follow the inclination of my nature, it is this: beggar-woman and single, far rather than queen and married.

No foteball player be used or suffered within the City of London and the liberties thereof upon pain of imprisonment.

A meal of bread, cheese and beer constitutes the perfect food.

My seat has been the seat of kings, and I will have no rascal to succeed me.

[When opposed by leaders of her Council:] I will make you shorter by the head!

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

There is only one Christ, Jesus, one faith. All else is a dispute over trifles.

A good face is the best letter of recommendation.

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.

The 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.

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.

I have already joined myself in marriage to a husband, namely the kingdom of England.

Grief never ends, but it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness nor a lack of faith: it is the price of love.

Men fight wars. Women win them.

she almost reluctantly learns to admire her strength and convictions as another powerful, determined woman.

I am your anointed Queen. I will never be by violence constrained to do anything. I 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.

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.