Elizabeth I

“As for my own part I care not for death, for all men are mortal; and though I be a woman yet I have as good a courage answerable to my place as ever my father had. I am your anointed Queen. I will never be by violence constrained to do anything. I thank God I am indeed endowed with such qualities that if I were turned out of the realm in my petticoat I were able to live in any place in Christendom.”

“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.”

“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.”

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

“[I]n the end this shall be for me sufficient, that a marble stone shall declare that a Queen, having reigned such a time, lived and died a virgin.”

“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.”

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

“My care is like my shadow in the sun, Follows me flying, flies when I pursue it, Stands and lies by me, doth what I have done.”

“Fear not, we are of the nature of the lion, and cannot descend to the destruction of mice and such small beasts.”

“I do not so much rejoice that God hath made me to be a Queen, as to be a Queen over so thankful a people.”

“I observe and remain silent.”

“I find that I sent wolves not shepherds to govern Ireland, for they have left me nothing but ashes and carcasses to reign over!”

“יודעת אני כי גופי אינו אלא זה של אישה חלשה ורפה; אבל לבי לב מלך ועוז רוחי עוז רוח מלך, ויתרה מזאת – מלך אנגליה.”

“איני רוצה דבר מלבד להשביע את רצונם של נתיניי.”

“מוזר הדבר שהרגל תנסה לכוון את הראש.”

“אין בכוחה של אלימות לכפות עליי דבר.”

“לפקד ולהנהיג נגד כל אחד מהאויבים.”

“אהיה מלכת אנגליה כל עוד אחיה.”

“יודעת אני כי גופי אינו אלא זה של אישה חלשה ורפה; אבל לבי לב מלך ועוז רוחי עוז רוח מלך, ויתרה מזאת – מלך אנגליה.”

“איני רוצה דבר מלבד להשביע את רצונם של נתיניי.”