If there were two princes in Christendom who had good will and courage, it would be very easy to reconcile the religious difficulties; there is only one Jesus Christ and one faith, and all the rest is a dispute over trifles.
Where minds differ and opinions swerve there is scant a friend in that company.
Hang Irish harpers wherever found.
There is one thing higher than Royalty: and that is religion, which causes us to leave the world, and seek God.
The word must is not to be used to princes.
It is monstrous that the feet should direct the head.
The daughter of debate That still discord doth sow.
The sea, as well as the air, is a free and common thing to all; and a particular nation cannot pretend to have the right to the exclusion of all others, without violating the rights of nature and public usage.
The doubt of future foes exiles my present joy.
I regret the unhappiness of princes who are slaves to forms and fettered by caution.
There is an Italian proverb which saith, From my enemy let me defend myself; but from a pretensed friend Lord deliver me.
I will be as good unto ye as ever a Queen was unto her people. No will in me can lack, neither do I trust shall there lack any power. And persuade yourselves that for the safety and quietness of you all I will not spare if need be to spend my blood.
Had I been crested, not cloven, my Lords, you had not treated me thus.
I don’t keep a dog and bark myself.
It has been always held for a special principle in friendship that prosperity provideth but adversity proveth friends...
The true sin against the Holy Ghost is ingratitude.
I am no lover of pompous title, but only desire that my name may be recorded in a line or two, which shall briefly express my name, my virginity, the years of my reign, the reformation of religion under it, and my preservation of peace.
I have never been able to be so allured by the prospect of advantages or so terrified by misfortunes, swayed by honours or fettered by affection, nay not even so smitten by the fear of death, as to enter upon marriage.
Proud Prelate, you know what you were before I made you what you are. If you do not immediately comply with my request I will unfrock you by God”!
The past can not be cured.
For I am soft and made of melting snow;.