Horatio Nelson quotes

Horatio Nelson was a British naval commander, celebrated for his victories during the Napoleonic Wars. His strategic brilliance and leadership played a pivotal role in securing British naval supremacy. He became a national hero, especially after his death at the Battle of Trafalgar. Here are 54 of his quotes:

England expects that every man will do his duty.

Horatio Nelson

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

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

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

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

Horatio Nelson

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

Horatio Nelson

I cannot command winds and weather.

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

Something must be left to chance; nothing is sure in a sea fight above all.

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

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

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

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

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

Thank God, I have done my duty.

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

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

Horatio Nelson

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

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

It is nonsense, Mr. Burke, to suppose I can live. My sufferings are great but they will soon be over.[citation needed].

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