30 quotes
Brass shines as fair to the ignorant as gold to the goldsmiths.
Letter (1581)
Those who touch the sceptres of princes deserve no pity.
Anger makes dull men witty, but it keeps them poor.
Amyas, my most careful and faithful servant, God reward thee treblefold in the double for thy most troublesome charge so well discharged.
This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.
As the saying is, So many heades, so many wittes.
If thy heart fails thee, climb not at all.
Neuer thinke you fortune can beare the sway,
Where Virtue's force, can cause her to obay.
The daughter of debate
That still discord doth sow.
[I] would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married.
I am already bound unto an husband, which is the kingdom of England... for every one of you, and as many as are English, are my children and kinsfolks.
They best pass over the world who trip over it quickly; for it is but a bog. If we stop, we sink.
Much suspected by me,
Nothing proved can be,
Quoth Elizabeth prisoner.
Written with a diamond on her window at Woodstock (1555)
Must is not a word to be used to princes! Little man, little man, if your father had lived, ye durst not have said so much: but thou knowest I must die, and that maketh thee so presumptuous.
Though God hath raised me high, yet this I count the glory of my Crown, that I have reigned with your loves.
The Golden Speech (1601)
"I shall be thy name in Christ as I emerge through these walls in vain."
The Golden Speech (1601)
I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm.
Speech to the Troops at Tilbury (1588)
The use of the sea and air is common to all; neither can a title to the ocean belong to any people or private persons, forasmuch as neither nature nor public use and custom permit any possession thereof.
To the Spanish Ambassador (1580)
Let tyrants fear, I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects.
Speech to the Troops at Tilbury (1588)
'Twas God the Word that spake it,
He took the Bread and brake it:
And what that Word did make it,
That I believe and take it.