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 c… - Horatio Nelson

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

Bonaparte has often made his boast, that our fleet would be worn out by keeping the sea, that his was kept in order, and increasing, by staying in port; but he now finds, I fancy, if emperors hear truth, that his fleet suffers more in a night, than ours in one year; however, thank God, the Toulon fleet is got in order again, and I hear the troops embarked, and I hope they will come out to sea in fine weather.

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.