Horatio Nelson Quotes

The measure may be thought bold, but I am of the opinion the boldest are the safest.

Something must be left to chance; nothing is sure in a sea fight above all.

The business of the English Commander-in-Chief being first to bring an Enemy's Fleet to Battle, on the most advantageous terms to himself, (I mean that of laying his Ships close on board the Enemy, as expeditiously as possible;) and secondly, to continue them there, without separating, until the business is decided.

Success, I trust — indeed have little doubt — will crown our zealous and well-meant endeavours: if not, our Country will, I believe, sooner forgive an Officer for attacking his Enemy than for letting it alone.

If a man consults whether he is to fight, when he has the power in his own hands, it is certain that his opinion is against fighting.

The bravest man feels an anxiety 'circa praecordia' as he enters the battle; but he dreads disgrace yet more.

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

The lives of all are in the hands of Him who knows best whether to preserve it or no, and to His will do I resign myself. My character and good name are in my own keeping. Life with disgrace is dreadful. A glorious death is to be envied, and, if anything happens to me recollect death is a debt we must all pay, and whether now or in a few years hence can be but of little consequence.

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

There are three things, young gentlemen, which you are constantly to bear in mind. 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.

The Neapolitan officers did not lose much honour, for God knows they had not much to lose - but they lost all they had.

I cannot command winds and weather.

I am myself a Norfolk man.

When I am without orders and unexpected occurrences arrive I shall always act as I think the honour and glory of my King and Country demand. But in case signals can neither be seen or perfectly understood, no captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy.

This is too warm work, Hardy, to last long.