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.

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 business of the English commander-in-chief being first to bring an enemy fleet to battle on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his ships close on board the enemy, as expeditiously as possible); and secondly to continue them there until the business is decided.

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

Desperate affairs require desperate measures.

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

I am of the opinion that the boldest measures are the safest.