John Fisher, 1st Baron Fisher Quotes

It is an historical fact that the British Navy stubbornly resists change.

The Essence of War is Violence. Moderation in War is Imbecility.

The Frontiers of England are the Coasts of the Enemy.

As age increases, audacity leaks out and caution comes in.

If any subordinate opposes me, I will make his wife a widow, his children fatherless and his home a dunghill.

...Jellicoe had all the Nelsonic attributes except one - he is totally wanting in the great gift of Insubordination. Nelson's greatest achievements were all solely due to his disobeying orders!..... Any fool can obey orders! But it required a Nelson to disobey Sir John Jervis at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, to disregard the order to retire at Copenhagen, to go into the Battle of the Nile by night with no charts against orders, and, to crown all, to enter into the Battle of Trafalgar in a battle formation contrary to all the Sea orders of the time! BLESS HIM! Alas! Jellicoe is saturated with Discipline!

The humanising of war? You might as well talk about the humanizing of Hell!...... The essence of war is violence! Moderation in war is imbecility!..... I am not for war, I am for peace! That is why I am for a supreme Navy....... The supremacy of the British Navy is the best security for peace in the world...... If you rub it in both at home and abroad that you are ready for instant war.....and intend to be first in and hit your enemy in the belly and kick him when he is down and boil your prisoners in oil (if you take any), and torture his women and children, then people will keep clear of you.

Those who rise in peace are men of formality and routine, cautious, inoffensive...Hawke represented the spirit of war, the ardour, the swift initiative, the readiness of resource, the impatience of prescription and routine, without which no great things are done!

Never Deny : Never Explain : Never Apologise

Can the Army win the war before the Navy loses it?

I thought it would be a good thing to be a missionary, but I thought it would be better to be First Sea Lord.

It is very silly indeed to build vessels of War so strong as to last a hundred years. They are obsolete in less than ten years.

Even a man's faults may reflect his virtues.

O.M.G. - Oh! My God!

The luxuries of the present are the necessities of the future. Our grandfathers never had a bath-room....