Quotes from Frederick The Great

No government can exist without taxation. The money must necessarily be levied on the people; and the grand art consists of levying so as not to oppress.

Diplomacy without military might is like music without instruments.

Diplomacy without arms is like a concert without a score

Neither antiquity nor any other nation has imagined a more atrocious and blasphemous absurdity than that of eating God. This is how Christians treat the autocrat of the universe.

Great things are achieved only when we take great risks.

Books make up no small part of human happiness.

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.

Great advantage is drawn from knowledge of your adversary, and when you know the measure of his intelligence and character, you can use it to play on his weakness.

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

Pleasure is the most real good in this life.

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

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.

Do not neglect the principles of foresight and know that often, puffed up with success, armies have lost the fruit of their heroism through a feeling of false security.

Rogues, would you live forever?

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

Every man has a wild beast within him.

An educated people can be easily governed.

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

I love opposition that has convictions.

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

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

I am tired of ruling over slaves.

All religions must be tolerated... for... every man must get to heaven his own way.

The prince is the first servant of his state.