Peter the Great:

Alas! I have civilized my own subjects; I have conquered other nations; yet I have not been able to civilize or to conquer myself.

— Peter the Great Early Modern

Modernizer of Russia

Attributed reflection on his personal failures

Unknown, 17th-18th century

Verification

Unverifiable

Found in 1 providers: gemini

Cross Reference

1 source

"I desire that the people should learn and become more enlightened, but I cannot force them to it."

"I have no fear of consequences, only of inaction."

"I have left two heirs, a son and a daughter. And I have left them a great empire, but they must know how to govern it."

"It is a great sin to torture animals without need."

"I would rather lose a battle than lose my spirit."