Horatio Nelson
Horatio Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté KBwas 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...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionWar Hero
Date of Birth29 September 1758
I owe all my success in life to having always been a quarter of an hour beforehand
Gentlemen, when the enemy is committed to a mistake we must not interrupt him too soon.
Recollect that you must be a seaman to be an officer and also that you cannot be a good officer without being a gentleman.
Desperate affairs require desperate measures.
I could not tread these perilous paths in safety, if I did not keep a saving sense of humor.
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.
Duty is the great business of a sea officer; all private considerations must give way to it, however painful it may be.
Close with a Frenchman, but out-maneuver a Russian.
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.
There can be no place for self entirely
No captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy.
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!'.
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.
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.