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

Had we taken ten sails, and let the eleventh to escape, being able to get at her, I could never have called it well done.

My greatest happiness is to serve my gracious King and Country and I am envious only of glory; for if it be a sin to covet glory I am the most offending soul alive.

If a man consults whether he is to fight, when he has the power in his own hands, it is certain that his opinion is against fighting.

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

A fleet of British ships at war are the best negotiators.

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.