Patrick O'BrianHe sat on as the sun's rays came slowly down through the trees, lower and lower, and when the lowest reached a branch not far above him it caught a dewdrop poised upon a leaf. The… ▶341Love
Patrick O'BrianBut the tale or narrative set in the past may have its particular time-free value; and the candid reader will not misunderstand me, will not suppose that I intend any preposterous… ▶321ReadingTime
Patrick O'Brian...I have had such a sickening of men in masses, and of causes, that I would not cross this room to reform parliament or prevent the union or to bring about the millennium. I spea… ▶355HumanityReadingThought
Patrick O'BrianNo man born of woman has ever understood spoken Portuguese. ✨ Patrick O'Brian (2000). Blue at the Mizzen (Vol. Book 20) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels), p.53, W. W. Norton & Company… ▶355Reading
Patrick O'BrianThe Navy speaks in symbols and you may suit what meaning you choose to the words. ✨ Patrick O'Brian (1990). Master and Commander (Vol. Book 1), p.170, W. W. Norton & Company… ▶377PhilosophyReading
Patrick O'BrianYou are to consider that a certain melancholy and often a certain irascibility accompany advancing age: indeed it might be said that advancing age equals ill-temper. On reaching t… ▶312LovePhilosophyReading
Patrick O'BrianThey will not be pleased. But they know we must catch the monsoon with a well-found ship; and they know they are in the Navy--they have chosen their cake, and must lie on it.' You… ▶358ReadingThought
Patrick O'BrianTwo weevils crept from the crumbs. 'You see those weevils, Stephen?' said Jack solemnly. I do.' Which would you choose?' There is not a scrap of difference. Arcades ambo. They are… ▶347Reading
Patrick O'BrianThe sensation of falling into the past is not unlike that of coming home for the holidays.292Time
Patrick O'Brian...looking angrily at the wombat: and a moment later, 'Come now, Stephen, this is coming it pretty high: your brute is eating my hat.' 'So he is, too,' said Dr. Maturin. 'But do n… ▶293ReadingTime
Patrick O'BrianOther people's marriages are a perpetual source of amazement. ✨ Patrick O'Brian (2011). The Commodore (Vol. Book 17) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels), p.252, W. W. Norton & Company304HumanityReading
Patrick O'BrianAfter all a book can be represented as a conversation with one’s demon.359ReadingTime
Patrick O'BrianThat would be locking the horse after the stable door is gone, a very foolish thing to do. ✨ Patrick O'Brian (2004). The Complete Aubrey/Maturin Novels, W. W. Norton & Compa… ▶251Reading
Patrick O'BrianI sew his ears on from time to time, sure. ✨ Patrick O'Brian (1990). Post Captain (Vol. Book 2) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels), p.190, W. W. Norton & Company284ReadingTime
Patrick O'BrianIt is a great while since I felt the grind of bone under my saw,' he added, smiling with anticipation. ✨ Patrick O'Brian (1990). Master and Commander (Vol. Book 1), p.80, W.… ▶3310Reading
Patrick O'BrianAuthority is a solvent of humanity: look at any husband, any father of a family,and note the absorption of the person by the persona, the individual by the role. Then multiply the… ▶3310Humanity
Patrick O'BrianTouch and away, Jack?’ asked Stephen. ‘Touch and away? Do you not recall that I have important business there? Enquiries of the very first interest?’ To do with our enterprise? To… ▶252Reading
Patrick O'BrianWhy, sir, said he, looking about him, what splendour I see: gold lace, breeches, cocked hats. Allow me to recommend a sandwich. And would you be contemplating an attack, at all? I… ▶318Thought
Patrick O'BrianIt meant that Diana had not waited for any explanation, however halting and imperfect, but had condemned him unheard; and this showed a much harder, far less affectionate woman th… ▶254LoveReadingThought
Patrick O'BrianFor my own part,' said Captain Aubrey, 'I have no notion of disliking a man for his beliefs, above all if he was born with them. I find I can get along very well with Jews or even… ▶233Reading
Patrick O'BrianI do not say that all lawyers are bad, but I do maintain that the general tendency is bad: standing up in a court for whichever side has paid you, affecting warmth and conviction,… ▶267DeathLifePolitics
Patrick O'BrianSir,’ said Stephen, ‘I read novels with the utmost pertinacity. I look upon them--I look upon good novels--as a very valuable part of literature, conveying more exact and finely-d… ▶278HumanityLoveReading
Patrick O'BrianNever mind manoeuvres, always go at them. ✨ Patrick O'Brian (1990). Master and Commander (Vol. Book 1), p.130, W. W. Norton & Company257ReadingThought
Patrick O'BrianAnd she hates being managed - that is not the word I want. What is it, Maturin?' 'Manipulated.' 'Exactly. She is a dutiful girl - a great sense of duty: I think it rather stupid, … ▶269ReadingThought
Patrick O'BrianGo and see whether the Doctor is about,’ said Jack, ‘and if he is, ask him to look in, when he has a moment.’ Which he is in the fish-market, turning over some old-fashioned lobst… ▶237ReadingTime
Patrick O'BrianI know of few men over 50 that seem to me entirely human, virtually none who has long exercised authority.171Humanity
Patrick O'BrianWit is the unexpected copulation of ideas. ✨ Patrick O'Brian (1990). Post Captain (Vol. Book 2) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels), p.43, W. W. Norton & Company172ReadingThought
Patrick O'BrianThere is a systematic flocci-nauci-nihili-pilification of all other aspects of existence that angers me.238Life
Patrick O'BrianFor a moment Jack felt the strongest inclination to snatch up his little gilt chair and beat the white-faced man down with it. ✨ Patrick O’Brian (2011). Master and Commander… ▶183ReadingTime
Patrick O'BrianI am in favour of leaving people alone, however imperfect their polity may seem. It appears to me that you must not tell other nations how to set their house in order; nor must yo… ▶2510Humanity
