Quotes by Elizabeth I

And therefore I am come amongst you at this time, not as for my recreation or sport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down, for my God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honour and my blood, even the dust. I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king, and of a king of England, too.

I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king

Life is for living and working at. If you find anything or anybody a bore, the fault is in yourself.

I grieve and dare not show my discontent, I love and yet am forced to seem to hate,I do, yet dare not say I ever meant, I seem stark mute but inwardly do prate. I am and not, I freeze and yet am burned, Since from myself another self I turned. 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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

My mortal foe can no ways wish me a greater harm than Englands hate neither should death be less welcome unto me than such a mishap betide me.

There is one thing higher than Royalty: and that is religion, which causes us to leave the world, and seek God.

The past cannot be cured.

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

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

God forgive you, but I never can.

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

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