Frederick the Great

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

Every man has a wild beast within him.

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

An educated people can be easily governed.

Rogues, would you live forever?

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.

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

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

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

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

He who defends everything defends nothing.