Quotes from Alexander Kent

Bloody bullocks, beggin' your pardon, gentlemen, but they'd take the wooden leg off a cripple to kindle a fire!

Home had a new meaning now. Jago watched him, and was satisfied. Like

It's men, not ships, sir.

He wished those at home who took such people for granted could see them now. They did not care about the cause or the reason, and none had come to this place of his own free will. They fought like lions, for each other, for the ship around them. It was their world. It was enough.

That the gods never concern themselves with the protection of the innocent, only with the punishment of the guilty.

Only the brave lie here.

The old Jack's yardstick: if it moves, salute it! If it doesn't, paint it!

They didn't question the rights or wrongs of being here. Their lives were the ship, and one another. It was a pity many in high authority did not remember that.

If the first moment of the day fails to stir you, you are no longer fit to command.

We commend unto Thy hands of mercy, most merciful Father, the souls of these our brothers departed, and we commit their bodies to the deep.

Pride of friend or enemy did not need any words.

Often you told me that responsibility and authority are privileges, not the rights of every man for the taking.

under our own protection. That was

One place like another. That was true enough, he thought. Even the merchant seamen were the same. Every ship was the last. One more voyage, just enough pay and bounty saved, and it would be used to buy a little alehouse, a chandlery, a smallholding from some country squire. But it never seemed to happen, unless the man was thrown on the beach in peacetime, or rejected as a useless cripple. The sea always won in the end. The

It's aft the most honour may be, but forrard you finds the better men.

should have been in Parliament, Allday." Allday put down his empty glass. He had never seen him in quite this mood before, "I'm too honest, sir.

More sins have been committed by the church than any seaman

It seems to be law inflexible and inexorable that he who will not risk cannot win. JOHN PAUL JONES

they fought for each other, not some plan from high authority.