The man could be frightfully keen...except when he was utterly obtuse. - David D. Levine

Do not underestimate the importance of personal resentment in even the largest decisions.

She was deeply concerned about Richardson’s abilities in this area. The man was plainly more interested in maintaining his own authority than he was in the actual running of the ship.

They think the privateer’s life one of nothing but adventure, violence, evasion, and escape. But, between letters of marque, bills of lading, rosters, inventories, and plunder contracts, it involves, in fact, more paperwork than any thing else.