Frederick II

“I must enlighten my people, cultivate their manners and morals, and make them as happy as human beings can be.”

“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.”

“An army, like a serpent, goes upon its belly.”

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

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

“It is a pity that the composer of such magnificent music is not a German.”

“L'art de la guerre, c'est de soumettre l'ennemi sans combat.”

“Every man has a wild beast within him.”

“We are made for action, and for right action, or for slumber.”

“Diplomacy without arms is like music without instruments.”

“A dog is a man's best friend.”

“The most certain way to hide from the world is to be busy with an honest occupation.”

“He who defends everything, defends nothing.”

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