C. S. Forester

"When a man who is drinking neat gin starts talking about his mother he is past all argument."

""I did not ask for objections, but for comments, or helpful suggestions. I looked for more loyalty from you, Captain Hornblower." That made the whole argument pointless. If Leighton only wanted servile agreement there was no sense in continuing."

"The lucky man is he who knows how much to leave to chance."

"Many of the Hornblower books were superb examples of their craft, and Forester remains unequaled for dynamism of narrative and precision of encounter: his single ship actions are surely the best ever described."