John Paul Jones

“The common class of mankind are actuated by no nobler principle than that of self-interest; this and this alone determines all adventurers in privateers: the owners, as well as those whom they employ.”

“It is with great pleasure that I see the political system of almost every power in Europe changing in our favor since the news of our late successes.”

“A captain of the Navy ought to be a man of strong and well connected sense, with a tolerable good education, a gentleman, as well as a seaman both in theory and practice.”

“It is certainly for the interest of the service that a cordial interchange of civilities should subsist between superior and inferior officers, and therefore, it is bad policy in superiors to behave towards their inferiors indiscriminately, as though they were of a lower species.”

“If fear is cultivated it will become stronger, if faith is cultivated it will achieve mastery.”