Frederick The Great Quotes

I love opposition that has convictions.

My people must drink beer.

It seems to me that man is made to act rather than to know: the principles of things escape our most persevering researches.

I begin by taking. I shall find scholars later to demonstrate my perfect right.

Be more than you seem to be.

If my soldiers were to begin to think, not one of them would remain in the army.

THE MORE I SEE OF MEN, THE BETTER I LIKE MY DOG." ~ Frederick the Great

It is impossible to imitate Voltaire without being Voltaire.

A man with his heart in his profession imagines and finds resources where the worthless and lazy despair.

What is the good of experience if you do not reflect?

Don't forget your great guns, which are the most respectable arguments of the rights of kings.

One should never despair too soon.

Always presume that the enemy has dangerous designs and always be forehanded with the remedy. But do not let these calculations make your timid.

Every man must get to Heaven his own way.

Artillery adds dignity, to what would otherwise be an ugly brawl.

Pleasure is the most real good in this life.

The Miracle of the House of Brandenburg had come to pass.

The greatest and noblest pleasure which men can have in this world is to discover new truths; and the next is to shake off old prejudices.

A German singer! I should as soon expect to get pleasure from the neighing of my horse.

It is the fashion these days to make war, and presumably it will last a while yet.

An educated people can be easily governed.

He who defends everything, defends nothing.

Diplomacy without arms is like a concert without a score

The people say what they like and then I do what I like

A king is the first servant and first magistrate of the state.

In trying to defend everything he defended nothing.

If I wished to punish a province, I would have it governed by philosophers.

Nowadays it is seen as a shame, to marry a girl who is a mother, who has never been married. I want to get rid of that prejudice.

My people and I have come to an agreement which satisfied us both. They are to say what they please, and I am to do what I please.

Religion is the idol of the mob; it adores everything it does not understand.

Rogues, would you live forever?

Great things are achieved only when we take great risks.

Books make up no small part of human happiness.

Our work is to present things that are as they are.

God is always with the strongest battalions.

Man is made for error; it enters his mind naturally, and he discovers a few truths only with the greatest effort.

A man, who can, in cold blood, hunt and torture a poor, innocent animal, cannot feel much compassion for the distress of his own species.

Every man has a wild beast within him.

Though I may not be a king in my future life, so much the better: I shall nevertheless live an active life and, on top of it, earn less ingratitude.

A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in.