Peter the Great was a Russian czar in the late 17th century, who is best known for his extensive reforms that moved the nation from a medieval state to a leading European state. He secularized schools, re-organized the army, created a navy, and installed a senate that mirrored his more evolved european neighbours.
Although he made great strides in building Russia into a powerhouse nation, he also established a reputation as a brutal dictator. Standing almost 7 ft tall, he was a poweful and violent figure who grew to be feared by the very people he represented. He taxed his citizens excessively, had his own son executed for treason, and even used his servants in live ammunition war games. In many ways, he represents the duality we see today in many modern dictatorships.
Below, we’ve gathered some of the most intriguing quotes from this complicated figure in Russian history.
3 Intriguing Peter The Great Quotes
1) On The Importance Of Lunch
“Destiny may ride with us today, but there is no reason for it to interfere with lunch.”
Related: Food Quotes – the 30 Greatest Sayings on Cooking, Dining & Eating Well.
2) On Success
“I have conquered an empire but I have not been able to conquer myself.”
3) On Conquering One’s Self First
“It is my great desire to reform my subjects, and yet I am ashamed to confess that I am unable to reform myself. ”
Do you have any Peter The Great quotes we missed? Let us know in the comments.