For very strangely his officers looked upon Jack Aubrey as a moral figure, in spite of all proofs of the contrary...

... it has always seemed to me that books are the supreme decorations of a room

Stephen had spared no expense in making himself more unhappy, his own position as a rejected lover clearer.

Jack, you've debauched my sloth.

Why there you are, Stephen,' cried Jack. 'You are come home, I find.' That is true,' said Stephen with an affectionate look: he prized statements of this kind in Jack.

The Navy speaks in symbols and you may suit what meaning you choose to the words.

I do not say that all lawyers are bad, but I do maintain that the general tendency is bad: standing up in a court for whichever side has paid you, affecting warmth and conviction, and doing everything you can to win the case, whatever your private opinion may be, will soon dull any fine sense of honour. The mercenary soldier is not a valued creature, but at least he risks his life, whereas these men merely risk their next fee.