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

You are to consider that a certain melancholy and often a certain irascibility accompany advancing age: indeed it might be said that advancing age equals ill-temper. On reaching the middle years a man perceives that he is no longer able to do certain things, that what looks he may have had are deserting him, that he has a ponderous great belly, and that however much he may yet burn he is no longer attractive to women; and he rebels. Fortitude, resignation and philosophy are of more value than any pills, red, white or blue.

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

For me the process works best with no interruptions, no breaks in the steady application, no letters to be answered, very little social life, no holidays; it is therefore a form of happy imprisonment.

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

For a moment Jack felt the strongest inclination to snatch up his little gilt chair and beat the white-faced man down with it.

Jack, you've debauched my sloth.