Queen Elizabeth I quotes

Born
7 September 1533 Palace of Placentia, Greenwich, England.

Died
24 March 1603.

Occupation
Queen.

Elizabeth was Queen of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death on 24 March 1603. In government, Elizabeth was more moderate than her father and half-siblings had been.

A clear and innocent conscience fears nothing.
– Elizabeth I

If we still advise we shall never do.
– Elizabeth I

Fear not, we are of the nature of the lion, and cannot descend to the destruction of mice and such small beasts.
– Elizabeth I

I shall lend credit to nothing against my people which parents would not believe against their own children.
– Elizabeth I

God forgive you, but I never can.
– Elizabeth I

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.
– Elizabeth I

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

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

I pray to God that I shall not live one hour after I have thought of using deception.
– Elizabeth I

Do not tell secrets to those whose faith and silence you have not already tested.
– Elizabeth I

He who placed me in this seat will keep me here.
– Elizabeth I

I would rather go to any extreme than suffer anything that is unworthy of my reputation, or of that of my crown.
– Elizabeth I

Those who appear the most sanctified are the worst.
– Elizabeth I

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

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

I do not choose that my grave should be dug while I am still alive.
– Elizabeth I

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

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

I have the heart of a man, not a woman, and I am not afraid of anything.
– Elizabeth I

Brass shines as fair to the ignorant as gold to the goldsmiths.
– Elizabeth I

All my possessions for a moment of time.
– Elizabeth I

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.
– Elizabeth I

A strength to harm is perilous in the hand of an ambitious head.
– Elizabeth I

The past cannot be cured.
– Elizabeth I

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

The stone often recoils on the head of the thrower.
– Elizabeth I

The word must is not to be used to princes.
– Elizabeth I