Horatio Nelson Quotes & Sayings

Gentlemen, when the enemy is committed to a mistake we must not interrupt him too soon. — Horatio Nelson

If I had been censured every time I have run my ship, or fleets under my command, into great danger, I should have long ago been out of the Service and never in the House of Peers. — Horatio Nelson

I am ill every time it blows hard, and nothing but my enthusiastic love for the profession keeps me one hour at sea. — Horatio Nelson

Frigates are the eyes of a fleet. — Horatio Nelson

I cannot, if I am in the field of glory, be kept out of sight: wherever there is anything to be done, there Providence is sure to direct my steps. — Horatio Nelson

Now I can do no more. We must trust to the Great Disposer of all events and the justice of our cause. I thank God for this opportunity of doing my duty. — Horatio Nelson

Treat every Frenchman as if he was the devil himself. — Horatio Nelson

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

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

Aft the more honour, forward the better man — Horatio Nelson

To do nothing was disgraceful; therefore I made use of my understanding. — Horatio Nelson

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

No captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy. — Horatio Nelson

Whoever gains the palm by merit, let him hold it. — Horatio Nelson

My love is founded on esteem, the only foundation that can make the passion last. — Horatio Nelson

I am a Norfolk man and Glory in being so. — Horatio Nelson

Hardy, I do believe they have done it at last ... my backbone is shot through. — Horatio Nelson

A fleet of British ships at war are the best negotiators. — Horatio Nelson

A ship's a fool to fight a fort. — Horatio Nelson

I believe my arrival was most welcome, not only to the
Commander of the Fleet but almost to every individual in it. — Horatio Nelson

I have a right to be blind sometimes. — Horatio Nelson

The politics of courts are so mean that private people would be ashamed to act in the same way; all is trick and finesse, to which the common cause is sacrificed. — Horatio Nelson

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. — Horatio Nelson

England expects every man to do his duty — Horatio Nelson

Recollect that you must be a seaman to be an officer and also that you cannot be a good officer without being a gentleman. — Horatio Nelson

It is my turn now; and if I come back, it is yours. — Horatio Nelson

Close with a Frenchman, but out-maneuver a Russian. — Horatio Nelson

It is warm work; and this day may be the last to any of us at a moment. But mark you! I would not be elsewhere for thousands. - at the Battle of Copenhagen. — Horatio Nelson

Something must be left to chance; nothing is certain in a sea fight — Horatio Nelson

In Sea affairs, nothing is impossible, and nothing is improbable. — Horatio Nelson

You must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your King, and you must treat every Frenchman as if he were the Devil himself. — Horatio Nelson

My character and good name are in my own keeping. Life with disgrace is dreadful. A glorious death is to be envied. — Horatio Nelson

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. — Horatio Nelson

I have only one eye, I have a right to be blind sometimes ... I really do not see the signal! — Horatio Nelson

I could not tread these perilous paths in safety, if I did not keep a saving sense of humor. — Horatio Nelson

First gain the victory and then make the best use of it you can. — Horatio Nelson

I am of the opinion that the boldest measures are the safest. — Horatio Nelson

Thank God I have done my duty. Drink, drink. Fan, fan. Rub, rub. Kiss me, Hardy. — Horatio Nelson

In honour I gained them, and in honour I will die with them. — Horatio Nelson

There can be no place for self entirely — Horatio Nelson

Laurels grow in the Bay of Biscay, I hope a bed of them may be found in the Mediterranean. — Horatio Nelson

My greatest happiness is to serve my gracious King and Country and I am envious only of glory; for if it be a sin to covet glory I am the most offending soul alive. — Horatio Nelson

The business of the English commander-in-chief being first to bring an enemy 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 until the business is decided. — Horatio Nelson

What the country needs is the annihilation of the enemy. — Horatio Nelson

Buonaparte has often made his boast that our fleet would be worn out by keeping the sea and that his was kept in order and increasing by staying in port; but know he finds, I fancy, if Emperors hear the truth, that his fleet suffers more in a night than ours in one year. — Horatio Nelson

When I came to explain to them the 'Nelson Touch', it was like an electric shock. Some shed tears, all approved - 'It was new - it was singular - it was simple!'. — Horatio Nelson

I cannot command winds and weather. — Horatio Nelson

Thank God I have done my duty. — Horatio Nelson

England expects that every man will do his duty. — Horatio Nelson

Our country will, I believe, sooner forgive an officer for attacking an enemy than for letting it alone. — Horatio Nelson

Had we taken ten sails, and let the eleventh to escape, being able to get at her, I could never have called it well done. — Horatio Nelson

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. — Horatio Nelson

Never break the neutrality of a port or place, but never consider as neutral any place from whence an attack is allowed to be made. — Horatio Nelson