“Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.”
―
Allison Pataki,
The Accidental Empress
“I suppose the true test of character comes when facing life’s harshest blows and disappointments. When things don’t turn out how you had hoped they would, do you grow bitter? Spiteful? Blame others and spread your misery? Or do you keep your head high and walk with grace, meeting the struggles which God has placed in your path?” ― Allison Pataki, The Traitor's Wife: The Woman Behind Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray America
“A deity does not quake simply because the crowd yells. An empress stands fixed, immutable: the calm that continues on, even as the world rages.” ― Allison Pataki, The Accidental Empress
“You, to me, Sisi, are the most perfect piece of art I have ever beheld.” ― Allison Pataki, Sisi: Empress on Her Own
“Don't you see, my darling?" He lifted her hand, resting it on his chest so that he could feel his heartbeat, its pace rapid like horse hooves against his breastbone. "Don't you see? Oh, but you know this well enough already. That there is nothing that requires more strength than to allow yourself to be weak for another.” ― Allison Pataki, The Accidental Empress
“Mediocrity is never a desirable destination....At least, not when practice might transform mediocrity to competence, or even skill.' ~ Napoleon Bonapart” ― Allison Pataki, The Queen's Fortune
“It’s not the wolves, Empress,” Marie Festetics said, her voice hushed. “I’m more frightened of what awaits us at the top of this mountain.” ― Allison Pataki, Sisi: Empress on Her Own
“She cared nothing for Robert Balmor, and in fact had felt relief each time she’d remembered that both he and André were gone. Letting that man kiss her had been foolish and naïve, but it was none of Cal’s business.” ― Allison Pataki, The Traitor's Wife: The Woman Behind Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray America
“I am Her Majesty Duchess Ludovika of Bavaria, from the House of Wittelsbach and sister of the Archduchess of Austria, Sophie of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. My two daughters, Their Majesties the Duchesses of Bavaria, accompany me on the special invitation from His Imperial Highness, Emperor Franz Joseph, and his mother, the Archduchess Sophie.” ― Allison Pataki, The Accidental Empress
“Fortune favors the bold. One doesn't win glory by hiding behind the lines.” ― Allison Pataki, The Queen's Fortune: A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire
“The sea is forever, it existed long before I did. It shall outlast me. In a world where absolutely nothing is certain, at least that much is true.” ― Allison Pataki, The Queen's Fortune: A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire
“May we always remember to begin the day being grateful for life, however difficult that life may appear. To show up for our loved ones. To listen, to allow them to weep when they need to weep. To cook them dinners when they need us.” ― Allison Pataki, Beauty in the Broken Places: A Memoir of Love, Faith, and Resilience
“At first I was almost for giving in; I thought I never could bear it. Yet, in spite of all, I’ve borne it— Only ask me not how. —HEINRICH HEINE QUOTATION, KEPT ON SISI’S DESK CHAPTER 13 Moravia, Austria-Hungary Summer 1885 “Let’s see now.” ― Allison Pataki, Sisi: Empress on Her Own
“This waltz was the music of the softly falling snow on the regal new buildings of the Ringstrasse. It was the spring tulips covering the lawns and arcades in front of the Schönbrunn Palace. It was the indomitable, majestic peaks of the Alps, the red-cheeked goatherds plucking wild edelweiss from the summits. It was the spirited laughter of Viennese students, wooing and debating in the beer gardens and cafés. It was the stately blue Danube, it was the cathedrals, it was the mountain chalets, and it was the ancient villages sprung up around church bell towers and brooks and streams. It was all of it, and it was all Franz Josef.” ― Allison Pataki
“I will always love you,” he said, whispering the words. Was it a good thing for her to know all of this, or would it have been better had he never said it?” ― Allison Pataki, Sisi: Empress on Her Own
“Beyond that was a small orchard, its trees appearing to hold the first signs of apples. Cherry blossoms bloomed in the May warmth, forming neat columns of shady pathways. The manicured grass, so unlike the wild fields of the farm, was intersected by meandering pebbled walkways, where her ladies must tread when receiving finely dressed visitors. Birdsong pierced the blue sky, as did the aroma of fresh-petaled flowers.” ― Allison Pataki, The Traitor's Wife: The Woman Behind Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray America
“A lady need never apologize. ~ Joseph de Bonaparte (Brother of Napoleon)” ― Allison Pataki, The Queen's Fortune
“I know this,” Sisi said, ignoring the noblewoman’s censorious stare. “It is: Franz Joseph the First, by the Grace of God, Emperor of Austria; King of Hungary and Bohemia; King of Lombardy and Venice; Grand Duke of Tuscany and Kraków; Duke of Lorraine; Grand Duke of Transylvania; Margrave of Moravia; Duke of Upper and Lower Silesia, of Modena, and Parma, and Piacenza—” ― Allison Pataki, The Accidental Empress
“Tragedy can come at any time and in any shape. Life gets scary and it gets hard. We scream and we cry and we fall to the floor,” ― Allison Pataki, Beauty in the Broken Places: A Memoir of Love, Faith, and Resilience
“I suppose the true test of character comes when facing life’s harshest blows and disappointments. When things don’t turn out how you had hoped they would, do you grow bitter? Spiteful? Blame others and spread your misery? Or do you keep your head high and walk with grace, meeting the struggles which God has placed in your path?” ― Allison Pataki, The Traitor's Wife: The Woman Behind Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray America
“A deity does not quake simply because the crowd yells. An empress stands fixed, immutable: the calm that continues on, even as the world rages.” ― Allison Pataki, The Accidental Empress
“You, to me, Sisi, are the most perfect piece of art I have ever beheld.” ― Allison Pataki, Sisi: Empress on Her Own
“Don't you see, my darling?" He lifted her hand, resting it on his chest so that he could feel his heartbeat, its pace rapid like horse hooves against his breastbone. "Don't you see? Oh, but you know this well enough already. That there is nothing that requires more strength than to allow yourself to be weak for another.” ― Allison Pataki, The Accidental Empress
“Mediocrity is never a desirable destination....At least, not when practice might transform mediocrity to competence, or even skill.' ~ Napoleon Bonapart” ― Allison Pataki, The Queen's Fortune
“It’s not the wolves, Empress,” Marie Festetics said, her voice hushed. “I’m more frightened of what awaits us at the top of this mountain.” ― Allison Pataki, Sisi: Empress on Her Own
“She cared nothing for Robert Balmor, and in fact had felt relief each time she’d remembered that both he and André were gone. Letting that man kiss her had been foolish and naïve, but it was none of Cal’s business.” ― Allison Pataki, The Traitor's Wife: The Woman Behind Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray America
“I am Her Majesty Duchess Ludovika of Bavaria, from the House of Wittelsbach and sister of the Archduchess of Austria, Sophie of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. My two daughters, Their Majesties the Duchesses of Bavaria, accompany me on the special invitation from His Imperial Highness, Emperor Franz Joseph, and his mother, the Archduchess Sophie.” ― Allison Pataki, The Accidental Empress
“Fortune favors the bold. One doesn't win glory by hiding behind the lines.” ― Allison Pataki, The Queen's Fortune: A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire
“The sea is forever, it existed long before I did. It shall outlast me. In a world where absolutely nothing is certain, at least that much is true.” ― Allison Pataki, The Queen's Fortune: A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire
“May we always remember to begin the day being grateful for life, however difficult that life may appear. To show up for our loved ones. To listen, to allow them to weep when they need to weep. To cook them dinners when they need us.” ― Allison Pataki, Beauty in the Broken Places: A Memoir of Love, Faith, and Resilience
“At first I was almost for giving in; I thought I never could bear it. Yet, in spite of all, I’ve borne it— Only ask me not how. —HEINRICH HEINE QUOTATION, KEPT ON SISI’S DESK CHAPTER 13 Moravia, Austria-Hungary Summer 1885 “Let’s see now.” ― Allison Pataki, Sisi: Empress on Her Own
“This waltz was the music of the softly falling snow on the regal new buildings of the Ringstrasse. It was the spring tulips covering the lawns and arcades in front of the Schönbrunn Palace. It was the indomitable, majestic peaks of the Alps, the red-cheeked goatherds plucking wild edelweiss from the summits. It was the spirited laughter of Viennese students, wooing and debating in the beer gardens and cafés. It was the stately blue Danube, it was the cathedrals, it was the mountain chalets, and it was the ancient villages sprung up around church bell towers and brooks and streams. It was all of it, and it was all Franz Josef.” ― Allison Pataki
“I will always love you,” he said, whispering the words. Was it a good thing for her to know all of this, or would it have been better had he never said it?” ― Allison Pataki, Sisi: Empress on Her Own
“Beyond that was a small orchard, its trees appearing to hold the first signs of apples. Cherry blossoms bloomed in the May warmth, forming neat columns of shady pathways. The manicured grass, so unlike the wild fields of the farm, was intersected by meandering pebbled walkways, where her ladies must tread when receiving finely dressed visitors. Birdsong pierced the blue sky, as did the aroma of fresh-petaled flowers.” ― Allison Pataki, The Traitor's Wife: The Woman Behind Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray America
“A lady need never apologize. ~ Joseph de Bonaparte (Brother of Napoleon)” ― Allison Pataki, The Queen's Fortune
“I know this,” Sisi said, ignoring the noblewoman’s censorious stare. “It is: Franz Joseph the First, by the Grace of God, Emperor of Austria; King of Hungary and Bohemia; King of Lombardy and Venice; Grand Duke of Tuscany and Kraków; Duke of Lorraine; Grand Duke of Transylvania; Margrave of Moravia; Duke of Upper and Lower Silesia, of Modena, and Parma, and Piacenza—” ― Allison Pataki, The Accidental Empress
“Tragedy can come at any time and in any shape. Life gets scary and it gets hard. We scream and we cry and we fall to the floor,” ― Allison Pataki, Beauty in the Broken Places: A Memoir of Love, Faith, and Resilience
