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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.

— Elizabeth I of England To the Spanish Ambassador (1580)

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More quotes by Elizabeth I of England

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.

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Elizabeth I of England (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.