Laurels grow in the Bay of Biscay, I hope a bed of them may be found in the Mediterranean.
Interpretation
This quote expresses a hope for future achievements and recognition, akin to resting on one's laurels.
Horatio Nelson's quote conveys the idea that he wishes for a continued legacy of success and recognition, as represented by laurels, which are traditionally a symbol of victory and accomplishment. By mentioning both the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean, he illustrates a desire for success to flourish in various regions, symbolizing a reach for broader significance and lasting impact.
In practice
This quote can be used in a commencement speech to inspire graduates about their future achievements.
Firstly, you must always implicitly obey orders, without attempting to form any opinion of your own respecting 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 do the devil.
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.
To do nothing was disgraceful; therefore I made use of my understanding.
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.
In honour I gained them, and in honour I will die with them.
Duty is the great business of a sea officer; all private considerations must give way to it, however painful it may be.
I did everything by the numbers. I had checklists upon checklists. If I wasn't ahead of everybody on my team, I didn't feel I was doing my job.
When I was 14, I did all kinds of different odd jobs. I had a chicken farm, had an ice cream operation in the summertime, worked as a caddy; all things to make money and save money. Save money in order to invest - that was the first step, though I never really accumulated very much because of other demands like bicycles and things like that.
I try to buy stock in businesses that are so wonderful that an idiot can run them. Because sooner or later, one will.
It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.
The time to look for a new job is when you don't need one. The time to switch jobs is before it feels comfortable.
I probably have traveled and walked into more variety stores than anybody in America. I am just trying to get ideas, any kind of ideas that will help our company. Most of us don't invent ideas. We take the best ideas from someone else.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.