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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining neutrality in conflict while recognizing that some places can be strategically used for attack, thus compromising their neutrality.
Horatio Nelson's quote suggests that maintaining neutrality in conflict is crucial, particularly for strategic locations such as ports or places of military significance. However, he points out that if a location is used to launch an attack, it should never be considered neutral because its utility in offensive actions undermines the very essence of neutrality, thereby requiring a more vigilant and discerning perspective on the nature of alliances and enemies in times of conflict.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a military strategy meeting to discuss alliance dynamics.
More from Horatio Nelson
All quotes βTo 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.
First gain the victory and then make the best use of it you can.
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