I owe all my success in life to having been always a quarter of an hour before my time.

My love is founded on esteem, the only foundation that can make the passion last.

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.

A ship's a fool to fight a fort.

You must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your King, and you must treat every Frenchman as if he were the Devil himself.

Duty is the great business of a sea officer; all private considerations must give way to it, however painful it may be.

To do nothing was disgraceful; therefore I made use of my understanding.