Ivan the Terrible

Myself always wallowing in drunkenness, fornication, adultery, filth, murders, rapine, despoliation, hatred and all sorts of evil-doing.

Myself always wallowing in drunkenness, fornication, adultery, filth, murders, rapine, despoliation, hatred and all sorts of evil-doing.

Alas for me a sinner, woe to me in my despair, Oh me, in my foulness...it behooves you, our masters to illuminate us who have lost our way in the darkness of pride, who are mired in sinful vanity, gluttony and intemperance. And I, a stinking hound, whom can I teach, what can I preach, and with what can I enlighten others?

Alas for me a sinner, woe to me in my despair, Oh me, in my foulness...it behooves you, our masters to illuminate us who have lost our way in the darkness of pride, who are mired in sinful vanity, gluttony and intemperance. And I, a stinking hound, whom can I teach, what can I preach, and with what can I enlighten others?

I am a sovereign, and I will not be ruled by my subjects!

Woe to the land where the people rule!

We are free to favor our slaves and to punish them.

Why do you separate the good from the evil? Is it not I who created both?

I am a mortal, but I am also a Tsar. God has placed me on this throne.

The more blood, the more glory.

Treason is a disease that must be cut out with a sharp knife.

I have sinned greatly, but God will forgive me.

My enemies are like dogs, barking at the moon.

Fear is the best weapon of a monarch.

I am the judge, the jury, and the executioner.

The people love me, they just don't know it yet.

God is with me, therefore I cannot err.

My will is law.

I have no need of counselors, only servants.

Let them tremble before my name!