Frederick The Great Quotes - Page 2

I think it better to keep a profound silence with regard to the Christian fables, which are canonized by their antiquity and the credulity of absurd and insipid people.

The people say what they like and then I do what I like

Always presume that the enemy has dangerous designs and always be forehanded with the remedy. But do not let these calculations make your timid.

Everybody is using coffee. If possible, this must be prevented. My people must drink beer.

Books make up no small part of human happiness.

In trying to defend everything he defended nothing.

Many battles have been fought and won by soldiers nourished on beer, and the King does not believe that coffee-drinking soldiers can be relied upon to endure hardships in case of another war.

You will certainly grant me that neither antiquity nor whatever nation has devised a more repulsive and blasphemous absurdity than that of eating your God. This is the most disgusting dogma of Christian religion, the greatest insult to the Highest Being, the climax of madness and insanity.

I love opposition that has convictions.

A king is the first servant and first magistrate of the state.

A German singer! I should as soon expect to get pleasure from the neighing of my horse.

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.

It is the fashion these days to make war, and presumably it will last a while yet.

One should never despair too soon.

Every man must get to Heaven his own way.

Diplomacy without arms is like a concert without a score

Christianity - An old metaphysical romance, filled with marvels, contradictions, and absurdity, born in the ardent imagination of Orientals, has spread into our Europe. Enthusiasts have purveyed it, careerists have pretended to accept it, imbeciles have believed it.

Our work is to present things that are as they are.

Many battles have been fought and won by soldiers nourished on beer.

It has been said by a certain general, that the first object in the establishment of an army ought to be making provision for the belly, that being the basis and foundation of all operations.

It is disgusting to note the increase in the quantity of coffee used by my subjects and the amount of money that goes out of the country in consequence. Everybody is using coffee. If possible, this must be prevented. My people must drink beer.

I have no fault to find with those who teach geometry. That science is the only one which has not produced sects; it is founded on analysis and on synthesis and on the calculus; it does not occupy itself with the probable truth; moreover it has the same method in every country.

As to your Newton, I confess I do not understand his void and his gravity; I admit he has demonstrated the movement of the heavenly bodies with more exactitude than his forerunners; but you will admit it is an absurdity to to maintain the existence of Nothing.

It is impossible to imitate Voltaire without being Voltaire.

Pleasure is the most real good in this life.