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.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining neutrality in conflict while recognizing that some places can be strategically used for attack, thus compromising their neutrality.
Horatio Nelson's quote suggests that maintaining neutrality in conflict is crucial, particularly for strategic locations such as ports or places of military significance. However, he points out that if a location is used to launch an attack, it should never be considered neutral because its utility in offensive actions undermines the very essence of neutrality, thereby requiring a more vigilant and discerning perspective on the nature of alliances and enemies in times of conflict.
In practice
This quote can be used in a military strategy meeting to discuss alliance dynamics.
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