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.

Whoever gains the palm by merit, let him hold it.

Now I can do no more. We must trust to the Great Disposer of all events and the justice of our cause. I thank God for this opportunity of doing my duty.

Firstly, you must always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own respecting their propriety. Secondly, you must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your king; and thirdly, you must hate a Frenchman, as you do the devil.

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

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

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