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Patrick O'Brian

Patrick O'Brian Quotes

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Famous Patrick O'Brian Quotes

“...I have had such a sickening of men in masses, and of causes, that I would not cross this room to reform parliament or prevent the union or to bring about the millennium. I speak only for myself, mind - it is my own truth alone - but man as part of a movement or a crowd is indifferent to me. He is inhuman. And I have nothing to do with nations, or nationalism. The only feelings I have - for what they are - are for men as individuals; my loyalties, such as they may be, are to private persons alone.”

MenMindMayPersonsFeelingsIndividualSpeakNationsCausesMy OwnRoomsMovementMassCrossesUnionsCrowdsLoyaltyReformNationalismIndifferentParliamentInhumanMillennium
Book:Master and Commander (Vol. Book 1)
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“I do not say that all lawyers are bad, but I do maintain that the general tendency is bad: standing up in a court for whichever side has paid you, affecting warmth and conviction, and doing everything you can to win the case, whatever your private opinion may be, will soon dull any fine sense of honour. The mercenary soldier is not a valued creature, but at least he risks his life, whereas these men merely risk their next fee.”

MenMayNextWinningSidesOpinionCasesRiskFineCreaturesStandingPaidCourtSoldierConvictionLawyerTendenciesDullHonourWarmthFeesMercenary
Book:The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels
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“You are to consider that a certain melancholy and often a certain irascibility accompany advancing age: indeed it might be said that advancing age equals ill-temper. On reaching the middle years a man perceives that he is no longer able to do certain things, that what looks he may have had are deserting him, that he has a ponderous great belly, and that however much he may yet burn he is no longer attractive to women; and he rebels. Fortitude, resignation and philosophy are of more value than any pills, red, white or blue.”

MenYearsLooksMaySaidPhilosophyMightAgeAbleCertainValuesWhiteMiddleRedBlueIllPerceiveAttractiveReachingMelancholyRebelTemperBellyPillsFortitudeResignationAdvancingAccompany
Book:The Truelove (Vol. Book 15) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
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“Why, sir," said he, looking about him, "what splendour I see: gold lace, breeches, cocked hats. Allow me to recommend a sandwich. And would you be contemplating an attack, at all?" "It had crossed my mind, I must admit," said Jack. "Indeed, I may go so far as to say, that I am afraid a conflict is now virtually inevitable. Did you notice we have cleared for action?”

MindMaySaidActionConflictGoldInevitableHatsContemplatingSandwichesLaceSplendour
Author:Patrick O'Brian
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