England expects every man to do his duty

The politics of courts are so mean that private people would be ashamed to act in the same way; all is trick and finesse, to which the common cause is sacrificed.

The bravest man feels an anxiety 'circa praecordia' as he enters the battle; but he dreads disgrace yet more.

A ship's a fool to fight a fort.

Never break the neutrality of a port or place, but never consider as neutral any place from whence an attack is allowed to be made.

I cannot command winds and weather.

I am ill every time it blows hard, and nothing but my enthusiastic love for the profession keeps me one hour at sea.