There comes a special moment in everyone's life, a moment for which that person was born. That special opportunity, when he seizes it, will fulfill his mission - a mission for which he is uniquely qualified. In that moment, he will find greatness. It is his finest hour.

We sit in calm, airy, silent rooms opening upon sunlit and embowered lawns, not a sound except of summer and of husbandry disturbs the peace; but seven million men, any ten thousand of whom could have annihilated the ancient armies, are in ceaseless battle from the Alps to the Ocean.

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go. Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.

The only traditions of the Royal Navy are rum, sodomy and the lash.

By swallowing evil words unsaid, no one has ever harmed his stomach.

I'd rather spend half an hour in the company of a top carpenter, than three hours in the company of an average brain surgeon

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.