Quotes by Horatio Nelson

About Horatio Nelson:

Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson was a British flag officer in the Royal Navy. He was noted for his inspirational leadership, superb grasp of strategy, and unconventional tactics, all of which resulted in a number of decisive naval victories, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was wounded several times in combat, losing one arm in the unsuccessful attempt to conquer Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the sight in one eye in Corsica. He was shot and killed during his final victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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

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

Horatio Nelson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Horatio Nelson

England expects that every man will do his duty.

Horatio Nelson

Desperate affairs require desperate measures.

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 h...

Horatio Nelson

I cannot command winds and weather.

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

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

Horatio Nelson

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

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

Treat every Frenchman as if he was the devil himself.

Horatio Nelson

Aft the more honour, forward the better man

Horatio Nelson

Author Bio

  • NameHoratio Nelson
  • DescriptionBritish flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy
  • AliasesHoratio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
  • BornSeptember 29, 1758
  • DiedOctober 21, 1805
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • ProfessionOfficer
  • AwardsKnight Commander Of The Order Of The Bath