Ivan the Terrible:

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

— Ivan the Terrible Early Modern

First Tsar of Russia

A statement justifying his brutal purges and executions.

c. 1560s

Verification

Unverifiable

Found in 1 providers: grok

Cross Reference

1 source

"I will make them crawl!"

"I am the instrument of God's vengeance."

"My anger is a terrible thing, and it will consume you."

"Fear is the best weapon of a monarch."

"My enemies are like dogs, barking at the moon."