List of John Paul Jones Quotes

...without A Respectable Navy, Alas America!

Where Men Of Fine Feeling Are Concerned There Is Seldom Misunderstanding.

Nothing Exciting Ever Happens To Me.

Whoever Can Surprise Well Must Conquer.

I May Sink, But I'll Be Damned If I Strike!

You Understand Why Some Animals Eat Their Young.

I Would Lay Down My Life For America But I Cannot Trifle With My Honor.

An Honorable Peace Is And Always Was My First Wish! I Can Take No Delight In The Effusion Of Human Blood; But, If This War Should Continue, I Wish To Have The Most Active Part In It.

It Is True That I Must Run A Great Risk; No Gallant Action Was Ever Accomplished Without Danger.

It Seems To Be A Law Of Nature, Inflexible And Inexorable, That Those Who Will Not Risk Cannot Win.

It Is By No Means Enough That An Officer Should Be Capable. . . . He Should Be As Well A Gentleman Of Liberal Education, Refined Manners, Punctilious Courtesy, And The Nicest Sense Of Personal Honor. . . . No Meritorious Act Of A Subordinate Should Escape His Attention, Even If The Reward Be Only One Word Of Approval. Conversely, He Should Not Be Blind To A Single Fault In Any Subordinate.

I Wish To Have No Connection With Any Ship That Does Not Sail Fast; For I Intend To Go In Harm's Way.