Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World quotes

View Quote Inquiring about casualties

View Quote Men must be governed. Often not wisely, I will grant you, but they must be governed nonetheless.

View Quote Name a shrub after me – something prickly and hard to eradicate.

View Quote Right lads, now, I know there's not a faint heart among you, and I know you're as anxious as I am to get into close action. But we must bring them right up beside us before we spring this trap. That will test our nerve, and discipline will count just as much as courage. The Acheron is a tough nut to crack … more than twice our guns, more than twice our numbers, and they will sell their lives dearly. Topmen, your handling of the sheets to be lubberly and un-navy like. Until the signal calls, you're to spill the wind from our sails, this will bring us almost to a complete stop. Gun crews, you must run out and tie down in double quick time. With the rear wheels removed, you've gained elevation, but without recoil, there'll be no chance for re-load, so gun captains, that gives you one shot from the larboard battery … one shot only. You'll fire for her mainmast. Much will depend on your accuracy … however … even crippled, she will still be dangerous, like a wounded beast. Captain Howard and the marines will sweep their weather deck with swivel gun and musket fire from the tops. They'll try and even the odds for us before we board. They mean to take us as a prize. And we are worth more to them undamaged. Their greed … will be their downfall. England is under threat of invasion, and though we be on the far side of the world, this ship is our home. This ship is England. So it's every hand to his rope or gun, quick's the word and sharp's the action. After all, Surprise is on our side.

View Quote This is the second time he's done this to me. There will not be a third.

View Quote We do not have time for your dammed hobbies, sir!

View Quote What is it with this man, did I kill a relative of his in battle perhaps? His boy, God forbid?

View Quote What's the butcher's bill?

View Quote You know, I'm very sympathetic of mutineers – men pressed from their homes, their chosen occupations …