Horatio Nelson Quotes & Sayings

“Desperate affairs require desperate measures.”

“Firstly you must always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own regarding 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 hate the devil.”

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

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

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

“Gentlemen, when the enemy is committed to a mistake we must not interrupt him too soon.”

“England expects that every man will do his duty.”

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

“Let me alone: I have yet my legs and one arm. Tell the surgeon to make haste and his instruments. I know I must lose my right arm, so the sooner it's off the better.”

“In honour I gained them, and in honour I will die with them.”