Quotes By Elizabeth I

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

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

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

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

The word must is not to be used to princes.

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.

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.

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

A clear and innocent conscience fears nothing.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

If thy heart fails thee, climb not at all.

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

The past cannot be cured.

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

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

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

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

If we still advise we shall never do.

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

Those who appear the most sanctified are the worst.

The end crowneth the work.

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 fool too late bewares when all the peril is past.