Horatio Nelson

Never break the neutrality of a port or place, but never consider as neutral any place from whence an attack is allowed to be made.

No captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy.

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.

Our country will, I believe, sooner forgive an officer for attacking an enemy than for letting it alone.

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

Duty is the great business of a sea officer; all private considerations must give way to it, however painful it may be.

I could not tread these perilous paths in safety, if I did not keep a saving sense of humor.

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 I had been censured every time I have run my ship, or fleets under my command, into great danger, I should have long ago been out of the Service and never in the House of Peers.

Time is everything; five minutes make the difference between victory and defeat.

It is warm work; and this day may be the last to any of us at a moment. But mark you! I would not be elsewhere for thousands. - at the Battle of Copenhagen.

I cannot command winds and weather.