John Paul Jones was the United States’ first well-known naval commander in the American Revolutionary War. Profoundly inspirational John Paul Jones quotes will encourage growth in life, make you wiser and broaden your perspective.
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Famous John Paul Jones Quotes
I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm’s way. John Paul Jones
I have not yet begun to fight. John Paul Jones
Whoever can surprise well must conquer. John Paul Jones
Surrender? I have not yet begun to fight! John Paul Jones
America has been the country of my fond election from the age of thirteen, when I first saw it. I had the honour to hoist with my own hands the flag of freedom, the first time it was displayed, on the Delaware; and I have attended it with veneration ever since on the ocean. John Paul Jones
It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and inexorable, that those who will not risk cannot win. John Paul Jones
I propose not our enemies as an example for our general imitation, yet, as their navy is the best regulated of any in the world, we must, in some degree, imitate them and aim at such farther improvement as may one day make ours vie with and exceed theirs. John Paul Jones
Sign on, young man, and sail with me. The stature of our homeland is no more than the measure of ourselves. Our job is to keep her free. Our will is to keep the torch of freedom burning for all. To this solemn purpose we call on the young, the brave, the strong, and the free. Heed my call, Come to the sea. Come Sail with me. John Paul Jones
For me, if I have done my duty, the continued approbation of Congress and the Marine Committee will make me rich indeed, and far more than reward me for a life of service devoted from principles of philanthropy, to support the dignity of human nature. John Paul Jones
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. John Paul Jones
I profess myself a citizen of the world, totally unfettered by the little, mean distinctions of climate or of country, which diminish the benevolence of the heart and set bounds to philanthropy. John Paul Jones
Whoever can surprise well must conquer. John Paul Jones
The situation of America is new in the annals of mankind; her affairs cry haste, and speed must answer them. John Paul Jones
If fear is cultivated it will become stronger, if faith is cultivated it will achieve mastery. John Paul Jones
I have not yet begun to fight! John Paul Jones
Since human wisdom cannot secure us from accidents, it is the greatest effort of reason to bear them well. John Paul Jones
If fear is cultivated it will become stronger, if faith is cultivated it will achieve mastery. John Paul Jones
Whoever can surprise well must conquer. John Paul Jones
I have sacrificed not only my favorite scheme of life, but the softer affections of the heart, and my prospects of domestic happiness, and I am ready to sacrifice my life also, with cheerfulness, if that forfeiture could restore peace and good will among mankind. John Paul Jones
It is true that I must run a great risk; no gallant action was ever accomplished without danger. John Paul Jones
It is with great pleasure that I see the political system of almost every power in Europe changing in our favor since the news of our late successes. John Paul Jones
I may sink, but I’ll be damned if I strike! John Paul Jones
It is to the last degree distressing to contemplate the state and establishment of our navy unless the private emolument of individuals in our navy is made superior to that in privateers, it never can become respectable; it never will become formidable. And without a respectable navy alas, America! John Paul Jones
I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm’s way. John Paul Jones
When the enemies’ land force is once conquered and expelled from the continent, our Marine will rise as if by enchantment and become, within the memory of persons now living, the wonder and envy of the world. John Paul Jones
If fear is cultivated it will become stronger, if faith is cultivated it will achieve mastery. John Paul Jones
I must repeat what I asserted formerly, that unless some happy expedient can be fallen upon to induce the seamen to enter into the service for a longer term than twelve months, it will never be possible to bring them under proper subordination; and subordination is as necessary, nay, far more so in the fleet than in the army. John Paul Jones
But I need use no arguments to convince you of the necessity of making the emoluments of our navy equal, if not superior, to theirs. John Paul Jones
The common class of mankind are actuated by no nobler principle than that of self interest; this and this alone determines all adventurers in privateers the owners, as well as those whom they employ. John Paul Jones
Much wisdom, and more knowledge than we possess, is in my humble opinion necessary to the formation of such a naval constitution as is absolutely wanting. John Paul Jones
Since human wisdom cannot secure us from accidents, it is the greatest effort of reason to bear them well. John Paul Jones
I propose not our enemies as an example for our general imitation, yet, as their navy is the best regulated of any in the world, we must, in some degree, imitate them and aim at such farther improvement as may one day make ours vie with and exceed theirs. John Paul Jones
Heaven can never countenance the barbarous and unmanly practice of the Britons in America, which savages would blush at, and which, if not discontinued, will soon be retaliated on Britain by a justly enraged people. John Paul Jones
There is now, perhaps, as much difference between a battle between two ships and an engagement between two fleets, as there is between a duel and a ranged battle between two armies. John Paul Jones
It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and inexorable, that those who will not risk cannot win. John Paul Jones
I would lay down my life for America but I cannot trifle with my honor. John Paul Jones
A captain of the Navy ought to be a man of strong and well connected sense, with a tolerable good education, a gentleman, as well as a seaman both in theory and practice. John Paul Jones
The situation of America is new in the annals of mankind; her affairs cry haste, and speed must answer them. John Paul Jones
I could heartily wish that every commission officer was to be previously examined; for, to my certain knowledge, there are persons who have already crept into commission without abilities or fit qualification I am myself far from desiring to be excused. John Paul Jones
For you must know, Yankees do not haul down their colors till they are fairly beaten. John Paul Jones
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. John Paul Jones
Heaven can never countenance the barbarous and unmanly practice of the Britons in America, which savages would blush at, and which, if not discontinued, will soon be retaliated on Britain by a justly enraged people. John Paul Jones
My desire for fame is infinite. John Paul Jones
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. John Paul Jones
Was it proof of madness in the first corps of sea officers to have, at so critical a period, launched out on the ocean with only two armed merchant ships, two armed brigantines, and one armed sloop, to make war against such a power as Great Britain? John Paul Jones
Though I have drawn my sword in the present generous struggle for the rights of men, yet I am not in arms as an American, nor am I in pursuit of riches. My fortune is liberal enough, having no wife nor family, and having lived long enough to know that riches cannot ensure happiness. John Paul Jones
It is certainly for the interest of the service that a cordial interchange of civilities should subsist between superior and inferior officers, and therefore, it is bad policy in superiors to behave towards their inferiors indiscriminately, as though they were of a lower species. John Paul Jones
It is with great pleasure that I see the political system of almost every power in Europe changing in our favor since the news of our late successes. John Paul Jones
Though I have drawn my sword in the present generous struggle for the rights of men, yet I am not in arms as an American, nor am I in pursuit of riches. My fortune is liberal enough, having no wife nor family, and having lived long enough to know that riches cannot ensure happiness. John Paul Jones
For me, if I have done my duty, the continued approbation of Congress and the Marine Committee will make me rich indeed, and far more than reward me for a life of service devoted from principles of philanthropy, to support the dignity of human nature. John Paul Jones
My desire for fame is infinite. John Paul Jones
I have sacrificed not only my favorite scheme of life, but the softer affections of the heart, and my prospects of domestic happiness, and I am ready to sacrifice my life also, with cheerfulness, if that forfeiture could restore peace and goodwill among mankind. John Paul Jones
Where men of fine feeling are concerned there is seldom misunderstanding. John Paul Jones
America has been the country of my fond election from the age of thirteen when I first saw it. I had the honor to hoist with my own hands the flag of freedom, the first time it was displayed, on the Delaware; and I have attended it with veneration ever since on the ocean. John Paul Jones
It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and inexorable, that those who will not risk cannot win. John Paul Jones
When the enemies land force is once conquered and expelled from the continent, our Marine will rise as if by enchantment and become, within the memory of persons now living, the wonder and envy of the world. John Paul Jones
Whoever can surprise well must conquer. John Paul Jones
The common class of mankind are actuated by no nobler principle than that of self interest; this, and this only, determines all adventurers in privateers, the owners as well as those they employ. John Paul Jones
My fortune is liberal enough, having no wife nor family, and having lived long enough to know that riches cannot ensure happiness. John Paul Jones
Nothing exciting ever happens to me. John Paul Jones
I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm’s way. John Paul Jones
It was my intention to lay the Bon Homme Richard athwart the enemy’s bow but as that operation requires great dexterity in the management of both sails and helm and some of our braces being shot away it did not exactly succeed to my wish. John Paul Jones
A navy is essentially and necessarily aristocratic. John Paul Jones
Where men of fine feeling are concerned there is seldom misunderstanding. John Paul Jones
And without a respectable navy alas, America! John Paul Jones
I have not as yet thought of it, but am determined to make you strike. John Paul Jones
But I need use no arguments to convince you of the necessity of making the emoluments of our navy equal, if not superior, to their’s. John Paul Jones
He should be as well a gentleman of liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and the nicest sense of personal honor. John Paul Jones
Much wisdom, and more knowledge than we possess, is in my humble opinion necessary to the formation of such a naval constitution as is absolutely wanting. John Paul Jones
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. John Paul Jones
From the observations I have made, and what I have read, it is my opinion, that in a navy, there ought to be as many grades below a captain of the line, as there are below the colonel of a regiment. John Paul Jones
