Quotes By Elizabeth I

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.

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.

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.

A clear and innocent conscience fears nothing.

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.

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.

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

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.

It is a natural virtue incident to our sex to be pitiful of those that are afflicted.

If thy heart fails thee, climb not at all.

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

Monarchs ought to put to death the authors and instigators of war, as their sworn enemies and as dangers to their states.

One man with a head on his shoulders is worth a dozen without.

The past cannot be cured.

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

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

If we still advise we shall never do.

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

The end crowneth the work.

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.

A fool too late bewares when all the peril is past.

The stone often recoils on the head of the thrower.

All my possessions for a moment of time.

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!