“I have culled a Garland of Flowers-- Mine is the string that binds them.” * * * * * Thou shalt not kill, but needst not strive Officiously to keep alive! (When catching Submarines). * * * * * Seest thou a man diligent in business--he shall stand before Kings--he shall not stand before mean men. * * * * * God who cannot be unjust, Heedeth all who on Him trust. Them who call on Him for aid, Anguish shall not make afraid. Trust him then in life. In death He can give thee Living Breath! After death the Life now thine He can make the Life Divine. * * * * * I never bother to bother about anyone who doesn’t bother to bother about me! * * * * * [Illustration: [_Portrait by J. Mallia & Co., Valetta._ COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE MEDITERRANEAN FLEET, 1899–1902.] “Put on the impenetrable armour of contempt and fortitude.” * * * * * When danger threatens and the foeman nigh, “_God and our Navy!_” is the Nation’s cry. _But_, the danger over and the Country righted, God is forgotten and the Sailor slighted. * * * * * Never fight a Chimney Sweep; some of the soot comes off on you. * * * * * Pas de Culte sans mystère. * * * * * Ode to an Apple-- Newton saw an apple fall, Eve an apple did enthral; It played the devil with us all, The Devil making Eve to fall. * * * * * “Liberty of Conscience” means doing wrong but not worrying about it afterwards. * * * * * “Tact” is insulting a man without his knowing it. * * * * * Even a man’s faults may reflect his virtues. * * * * * Sincerity is the road to Heaven. * * * * * I thought it would be a good thing to be a missionary, but I thought it would be better to be First Sea Lord. * * * * * Think in Oceans--shoot at sight. * * * * * Big conceptions and Quick Decisions. * * * * * Napoleonic in Audacity. Cromwellian in Thoroughness. Nelsonic in Execution. * * * * * “Surprise” the pith and marrow of war! * * * * * Audacity and Imagination beget surprise. * * * * * Rashness in war is Prudence. * * * * * Prudence in war is Imbecility. * * * * * Hit first! Hit hard! Keep on hitting!! (The 3 H’s). * * * * *