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Patrick O'Brian

Patrick O'Brian Quotes

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Famous Patrick O'Brian Quotes

“They will not be pleased. But they know we must catch the monsoon with a well-found ship; and they know they are in the Navy--they have chosen their cake, and must lie on it.' You mean, they cannot have their bed and eat it.' No, no, it is not quite that either. I mean--I wish you would not confuse my mind, Stephen.”

KnowsMindWellsMeanLyingFoundWishBedChosenShipsCakeNavyWish YouMonsoonsI Wish You Would
Book:H. M. S. Surprise (Vol. Book 3) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
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“...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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“Sir,’ said Stephen, ‘I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them--I look upon good novels--as a very valuable part of literature, conveying more exact and finely-distinguished knowledge of the human heart and mind than almost any other, with greater breadth and depth and fewer constraints.”

MindHumansLooksHeartSaidLiteratureNovelGreaterDepthValuableFewerHuman HeartHeart And MindDistinguishedConstraintsBreadthConveying
Book:Master and commander ; Post captain ; H.M.S. Surprise ; The Mauritius command
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“For you must know, gentlemen, that when the mariner is dosed, he likes to know that he has been dosed: with fifteen grains or even less of this valuable substance scenting him and the very air about him there can be no doubt of the matter; and such is the nature of the human mind that he experiences a far greater real benefit than the drug itself would provide, were it deprived of its stench.”

KnowsMindHumansHas BeensRealMatterDoubtGreaterAirDrugBenefitsValuableLikesSubstanceGentlemanNo DoubtHuman MindGrainFifteenDeprivedMariners
Author:Patrick O'Brian
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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?”

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Author:Patrick O'Brian
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