Quotes By Queen Elizabeth I

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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 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.

Those who appear the most sanctified are the worst.

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

A clear and innocent conscience fears nothing.

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

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

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

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!

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

The past cannot be cured.