This quote is making the rounds on Russian/Ukrainian facebook and I wonder if it is true. A search really hasn't turned up a good reference.

In Russian (from here for example):

Петр I. В одной из своих речей в Сенате он сказал: «Сей малороссийский народ и зело умен, и зело лукав: он, яко пчела любодельна, дает российскому государству и лучший мед умственный, и лучший воск для свещи российского просвещения, но у него есть и жало. Доколе россияне будут любить и уважать его, не посягая на свободу и язык, дотоле он будет волом подъяремным и светочью российского царства: но коль скоро посягнут на его свободу и язык, то из него вырастут драконовы зубы, и российское царство останется не в авантаже».

In English (my translation):

Peter I. In one of his speeches to the Senate, he said: "This little-Russian people is very smart and very cunning: like an industrious bee, it gives the Russian state the best honey for intellect and the best wax for the candle of Russian enlightenment, but it has a sting, too. As long as Russians love and respect him, and do not encroach upon his freedoms and language, he will be subject like an ox under yoke and a light for the Russian tsardom: but as soon as they encroach upon his freedom and language, he will grow fangs like a dragon and the Russian tsardom will be left without its advantage".

Weak translation just for people who don't know Russian at all, hopefully someone with more knowledge of Peter I's Russian can clear up inaccuracies.

But my main question is - did he really say it and if so, where is a primary source proving it?

More generally, are there any other quotes likes this by Russian leaders about Ukrainians/little-Russians?