My character and good name are in my own keeping. Life with disgrace is dreadful. A glorious death is to be envied.

Hardy, I do believe they have done it at last... my backbone is shot through.

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.

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

Something must be left to chance; nothing is certain in a sea fight

Buonaparte has often made his boast that our fleet would be worn out by keeping the sea and that his was kept in order and increasing by staying in port; but know he finds, I fancy, if Emperors hear the truth, that his fleet suffers more in a night than ours in one year.

I could not tread these perilous paths in safety, if I did not keep a saving sense of humor.