Patrick O'Brian Quotes

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Never mind manoeuvres, always go at them.

Patrick O'Brian

Mind

Patrick O'Brian (1990). “Master and Commander (Vol. Book 1)”, p.130, W. W. Norton & Company

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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.

Patrick O'Brian

Philosophy, Men, Blue

Patrick O'Brian (2011). “The Truelove (Vol. Book 15) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)”, p.15, W. W. Norton & Company

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Although wealth may not bring happiness, the immediate prospect of it provides a wonderfully close imitation.

Patrick O'Brian

May, Wealth, Imitation

Patrick O'Brian (1991). “H. M. S. Surprise (Vol. Book 3) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)”, p.33, W. W. Norton & Company

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We understood one another better before ever I opened my mouth

Patrick O'Brian

Mouths, Understood

Patrick O'Brian (1990). “Master and Commander (Vol. Book 1)”, p.200, W. W. Norton & Company

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Two weevils crept from the crumbs. 'You see those weevils, Stephen?' said Jack solemnly. I do.' Which would you choose?' There is not a scrap of difference. Arcades ambo. They are the same species of curculio, and there is nothing to choose between them.' But suppose you had to choose?' Then I should choose the right-hand weevil; it has a perceptible advantage in both length and breadth.' There I have you,' cried Jack. 'You are bit - you are completely dished. Don't you know that in the Navy you must always choose the lesser of two weevils? Oh ha, ha, ha, ha!

Patrick O'Brian

Hands, Two, Differences

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Wit is the unexpected copulation of ideas.

Patrick O'Brian

Ideas, Unexpected, Wit

Patrick O'Brian (1990). “Post Captain (Vol. Book 2) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)”, p.43, W. W. Norton & Company

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... it has always seemed to me that books are the supreme decorations of a room

Patrick O'Brian

Book, Rooms, Decoration

Patrick O'Brian (1952). “Testimonies”

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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.

Patrick O'Brian

Heart, Mind, Depth

Patrick O'Brian (2004). “Master and commander ; Post captain ; H.M.S. Surprise ; The Mauritius command”

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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.

Patrick O'Brian

Men, Winning, Risk

Patrick O'Brian (2004). “The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels”, W. W. Norton & Company

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We are always the most violent against those whom we have injured.

Patrick O'Brian

Violent, Injured

Patrick O'Brian (2004). “Master and commander ; Post captain ; H.M.S. Surprise ; The Mauritius command”

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He sat on as the sun's rays came slowly down through the trees, lower and lower, and when the lowest reached a branch not far above him it caught a dewdrop poised upon a leaf. The drop instantly blazed crimson, and a slight movement of his head made it show all the colours of the spectrum with extraordinary purity, from a red almost too deep to be seen through all the others to the ultimate violet and back again.

Patrick O'Brian

Tree, Red, Violet

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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.

Patrick O'Brian

Loyalty, Men, Feelings

Patrick O'Brian (1990). “Master and Commander (Vol. Book 1)”, p.194, W. W. Norton & Company

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Authority is a solvent of humanity: look at any husband, any father of a family,and note the absorption of the person by the persona, the individual by the role. Then multiply the family, and the authority, by some hundreds and see the effect upon a sea-captain, to say nothing of an absolute monarch.Surely man in general is born to be oppressed or solitary, if he is to be fully human; unless it so happens that he is immune to the poison.

Patrick O'Brian

Husband, Father, Men

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My dear creature, I have done with all debate. But you know as well as I, patriotism is a word; and one that generally comes to mean either MY COUNTRY, RIGHT OR WRONG, which is infamous, or MY COUNTRY IS ALWAYS RIGHT, which is imbecile.

Patrick O'Brian

Country, Mean, Jingoism

Patrick O'Brian (1990). “Master and Commander (Vol. Book 1)”, p.194, W. W. Norton & Company

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I know of few men over 50 that seem to me entirely human, virtually none who has long exercised authority.

Patrick O'Brian

Men, Long, Authority

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There is a systematic flocci-nauci-nihili-pilification of all other aspects of existence that angers me.

Patrick O'Brian

Systematic, Aspect, Existence

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Why there you are, Stephen,' cried Jack. 'You are come home, I find.' That is true,' said Stephen with an affectionate look: he prized statements of this kind in Jack.

Patrick O'Brian

Home, Looks, Kind

Patrick O'Brian (1991). “H. M. S. Surprise (Vol. Book 3) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)”, p.211, W. W. Norton & Company

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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?

Patrick O'Brian

Mind, Gold, Sandwiches

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I have often observed that extremely violent noise and activity go with good-fellowship and heightened spirits.

Patrick O'Brian

Noise, Fellowship, Spirit

Patrick O'Brian (2011). “The Letter of Marque (Vol. Book 12) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)”, p.53, W. W. Norton & Company

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The Navy speaks in symbols and you may suit what meaning you choose to the words.

Patrick O'Brian

Navy, May, Suits

Patrick O'Brian (1990). “Master and Commander (Vol. Book 1)”, p.170, W. W. Norton & Company

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The sensation of falling into the past is not unlike that of coming home for the holidays.

Patrick O'Brian

Fall, Home, Holiday

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Compulsion is the death of friendship.

Patrick O'Brian

Compulsion

Patrick O'Brian (1990). “Post Captain (Vol. Book 2) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)”, p.78, W. W. Norton & Company

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Jack, you've debauched my sloth.

Patrick O'Brian

Drunk, Sloth

"HMS Surprise". Book by Patrick O'Brian, 1973.

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I am in favour of leaving people alone, however imperfect their polity may seem. It appears to me that you must not tell other nations how to set their house in order; nor must you compel them to be happy.

Patrick O'Brian

Order, People, House

Patrick O'Brian (2004). “Master and commander ; Post captain ; H.M.S. Surprise ; The Mauritius command”

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I am opposed to authority, that egg of misery and oppression; I am opposed to it largely for what it does to those who exercise it.

Patrick O'Brian

Exercise, Eggs, Doe

Patrick O'Brian (1990). “Post Captain (Vol. Book 2) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)”, p.234, W. W. Norton & Company

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Born: December 12, 1914
Died: January 2, 2000
Occupation: Novelist
Cite this Page: Citation

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