Something must be left to chance; nothing is certain in a sea fight
Interpretation
In uncertain situations, some unpredictability is unavoidable.
Horatio Nelson's quote highlights the inherent uncertainty and unpredictability of life, particularly in high-stakes situations like a sea battle. It suggests that while we can prepare and strategize, we must also accept that some outcomes are beyond our control, and taking risks is a part of facing challenges bravely.
In practice
In a motivational speech about embracing risks and uncertainties in business.
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.
To 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.
To struggle when hope is banished! To live when life's salt is gone! To dwell in a dream that's vanished- To endure, and go calmly on!
It is very discouraging to be in a team with white athletes. On the track you are Tommie Smith, the fastest man in the world, but once you are in the dressing rooms you are nothing more than a dirty Negro.
Sometimes the riskiest decision you can make is to do nothing.
I am a Shawnee. My forefathers were warriors. Their son is a warrior. From them, I take my only existence.
I never felt I had anything to hide. I never felt being gay was anything to be ashamed of, so I never felt apologetic. I didn't have issues with it, didn't grow up with any religion, so I didn't have any religious, you know, issues to deal with as far as homosexuality is concerned. So, I accepted it very easily. For me, it wasn't that big a deal.
The primary thing I should do, apart from being a good husband, brother, son, and friend, is to be a citizen activist. But I'm afraid it takes away from the writing. Not that anything depends on whether I put an essay in 'The Nation' or not. But you want to participate.
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