As the longest-reigning British monarch in history, Queen Elizabeth II has had a wealth of life experience to draw upon. With a legacy that extends to almost 70 years, the Queen has been a bastion of world stability, tradition and progress. Here are some of the Queen’s best quotes that reflect the essence of that legacy:
On progress and modernity
“We must look forward and not back. We are like passengers on a great liner, bound for an unknown destination.”
“While each generation feels it knows best and can improve on the past, it cannot master the future.”
On respect for the elders
“The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they alone knew everything, and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness with them.”
“We are reminded that young people need models as well as critics, and there is much to learn from both.”
On maintaining a sense of humour
“My life has been one long learning process, and I am still learning.”
“It’s important to laugh. If you can keep your sense of humour in all sorts of situations, it means you are in control.”
On celebrating diversity
“I have found it a great privilege to be able to look into the faces of so many different kinds of people and to feel that, as a family, we are united by our shared human experience.”
“The way that we treat others and treat the planet, the way that we look after one another and our natural environment – they are all related. We cannot ignore any of them if we are to create a world in which every person can live and flourish.”
On the importance of family
“Family life is the principal source of happiness and stability for us all.”
“Our family, like any other family, is blended of different backgrounds, different opinions, different experiences and the richness of diverse heritages, but the harmony of family life depends on each individual recognizing and understanding their personal responsibilities and on the whole family being strong enough and wise enough to preserve and build on the constructive achievements of its predecessors.”
On staying true to yourself
“With courage and faith, we can turn our dreams for the future into achievable goals.”
“Be true to yourself and you will be proud of your achievements. We all need a sense of identity, a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose.”
On the power of compassion
“Compassion, not selfishness, is the source of a nation’s strength.”
“For me, the greatest lesson has been that it is often in the darkest hours that we must focus to see the light.”
On the need for change
“Change will come in our time if we have the courage to grasp it.”
“We must be willing to embrace change, to move forward with confidence, and to never look back in regret.”
On inner strength
“Never ever give up. Your inner strength will see you through.”
“Sometimes the right path is not the most obvious one.”
On the power of unity
“We depend on each other, after all, and united we stand, divided we fall.”
“No matter who you are or where you come from, we are all part of one big human family, and our differences should be respected and celebrated, not feared or suppressed.”
On hope for the future
“The future is a moment of creation: a moment when we can stand together in hope and determination, and plan for a world that is fairer, more prosperous, kinder and wiser.”
“We plant trees for the future, but the future of our planet needs more than just trees.”
The quotes of Queen Elizabeth II embody her spirit of progress, progressivism, respect for the elders and collective wisdom, while promoting the need for unity and inner strength to create a brighter future. Her words remind us of the importance of looking forward with hope and perseverance, as well as to remember our roots and always try to remain true to ourselves. By taking her words and wisdom to heart, we can all aspire to build a better world for our future generations.
