"I may be kindly, I am ordinarily gentle, but in my line of business I am obliged to will terribly what I will at all"
- Catherine the Great
About this Quote
Catherine the Great was a powerful ruler of Russia in the 18th century. In this quote, she is describing her role as an emperor. She acknowledges that she is generally kind and mild, but in her role as a ruler, she needs to be firm and decisive. She must make challenging decisions and impose them, even if it means breaking her own kind and gentle nature. This quote shows Catherine's understanding of the obligations of a ruler and her willingness to do what is needed to ensure the stability and success of her country. It also shows her humbleness and her acknowledgment that her power comes with a great deal of obligation. Catherine the Great was an impressive leader who understood the importance of stabilizing her own personal worths with the needs of her individuals.
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