I shall be an autocrat: that's my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that's his.
Your wit makes others witty.
You philosophers are lucky men. You write on paper and paper is patient. Unfortunate Empress that I am, I write on the susceptible skins of living beings.
If Russians knew how to read, they would write me off.
All this is only for the mice and myself to admire!
I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.
