Testament of Peter the Great

I, Peter I, Emperor and Sovereign of all the Russians, in the name of the most holy and indivisible Trinity, declare to all heirs to the Russian throne and government:

The Almighty God, who gave me life, has convinced me that the Russian people are destined to become the ruling nation of Europe in the future, forever guided by the light of God and upheld by Him.

I have come to this belief because I have considered that most European nations have reached the decrepit old age, or are in any case rapidly approaching it.

It follows that a young people, once they have grown as powerful as those nations, should easily be able—and must be able—to conquer them.

I believe that the coming invasion of the West and East by the North is a cyclical movement ordained and designed by God, just as God once arranged the invasion of the barbarians in the same way to bring new life to the Roman people.

This southward migration from the North is like the Nile flowing back, periodically enriching the lands of western Egypt with its soil.

I have found that Russia is such a river, and it will remain so when I am gone.

My heirs will make Russia a sea that enriches impoverished Europe. If my descendants know how to guide this tide, its waves will break through any dike that bars its way.

For this purpose, I leave the following testament and charge my descendants to heed it and observe it at all times.

(I) Keep Russia in a state of war for a long time, keep its soldiers ever ready, and continually strive to strengthen the state's finances and improve the army.

Choose the most favorable moment to attack, making war follow peace and peace follow war,