In politics a capable ruler must be guided by circumstances, conjectures and conjunctions.
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.
