25 quotes
The Ineffectiveness of Punishment and Understanding
Billy Budd
What was his crime?
[after witnessing a flogging]
Dansker
God only knows young man.
Billy Budd
You mean you don't know what he did?
Dansker
Flogging. Its the only solution to every problem. I warrant even the culprit himself doesn't know. It was just his turn.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Conflicting Feelings About Claggert
Squeak
I hate Claggert, for what, you don't realize — I hate him.
Billy Budd
You hate him?
Squeak
Yes, I do. Don't you?
Billy Budd
No.
Squeak
You don't? You must do!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Captain Vere Reflects on Jenkins' Death
Captain Vere
* After the death of Jenkins
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Truth and Fear on the Sea
Billy Budd
In my ignorance, I could not guess the reason. I only knew the truth, and told it.
Claggert
The sea is calm you said. Peaceful. Calm above, but below a world of gliding monsters preying on their fellows. Murderers, all of them. Only the strongest teeth survive. And who's to tell me it's any different here on board, or yonder — on dry land? You knew my reputation, and yet you dared to speak what you called the truth. Why?
Billy Budd
I know some of the men are fearful of you, hate you. But I told them — you can't be as they think you are.
Claggert
Why not, pray?
Billy Budd
No man can take pleasure in cruelty.
Claggert
No? Tell me, do you fear the lash?
Billy Budd
Aye.
[nods]
Claggert
And will you speak the truth again?
Billy Budd
I'm on my honor, sir. If the captain asks—
Claggert
Why are you laughing boy?
[laughs grimly — and Budd joins in laughing]
Billy Budd
Laughter's good, sir. And it's good to hear you laugh.
Claggert
Laughter's good? Even the laughter of fools aimed at nothing?
Billy Budd
No, sir, you wouldn't laugh at nothing.
Claggert
What was I laughing at then?
Billy Budd
I don't know sir, but I think you were laughing at yourself.
Claggert
Why would I laugh at myself?
[puzzled and disturbed]
Billy Budd
There's time when all men do — men as you would call men. They make mistakes and behave like fools.
Claggert
They do. Tell me in all ignorance do you dare understand me, then?
Billy Budd
I think so, sir.
[nods]
Claggert
Why did Jenkins die?
Billy Budd
You did not wish his death.
Claggert
No, I did not.
Billy Budd
You didn't even hate him. I think that sometimes you hate yourself. I was thinking, sir, the nights are lonely. Perhaps I could talk with you between watches when you've nothing else to do.
Claggert
Lonely. What do you know of loneliness?
Billy Budd
Them's alone that want to be.
Claggert
Nights are long — conversation helps pass the time.
Billy Budd
Can I talk to you again, then? It would mean a lot to me.
Claggert
Perhaps to me, too. Oh, no. You would charm me too, huh? Get away.
[his expression suddenly turns suspicious and sours]
Billy Budd
Sir?
Claggert
Get — away!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Consequences of False Witness
Captain Vere
Weigh what you speak, master-at-arms, there is the rope and the yardarm for false witness in ] as in ].
[[peace; [war]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Man's Struggle with Duty and Worth
Captain Vere
I am just a man, not fit to do the ] of ]... or the ].
[[work; [God; [Devil]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Observations on a Cheerful Character
Squeak
Aye! He's quite a hand for ]. Always cheerful, too. Always smiling, waving at people. Lovely little character.
[[jokes]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Delayed Reforms in the House of Commons
Lieutenant Seymour
They're talking about reform in the House of Commons.
Captain Nathaniel Graveling
You know what that means — it means their reforms are nearly a century overdue.
[of Rights of Man]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Nature of Order and Perfection
Captain Vere
A man of war does not come to life until it's in action. Will we acquit ourselves well? Or badly? What kind of a weapon have we forged? And when the time comes, will I know how to use it? Claggert is a force for order, Mr. Seymour — a force for order I must have.
Lieutenant Seymour
Sir, if he should be opposed to Budd's promotion?
Captain Vere
You know Seymour, there are some men who cannot stand too much perfection. They see it as a … as a disease, thus which must be stamped out at it's first rash showing.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Imminent Storm Discussed by Two Characters
Dansker
There's a storm somewhere.
Claggert
Aye, old man. There's a storm somewhere.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Duties of Fight and Obey
Captain Vere
You have only two duties here — to fight and to obey.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Accusations and Allegiances Among Shipmates
Squeak
Hey, you know when you kept finding yourself on report? That was my doing — but I was only obeying orders — his orders — Claggerts.
Billy Budd
Claggerts? I thought it was you — out of spite.
Squeak
Me? I got no spite in me!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Navigating Justice and Leadership at Sea
Captain Vere
In the question of Jenkins, Budd was telling the truth.
Lieutenant Seymour
I know, sir. What are you going to do about Claggart?
Captain Vere
What can I do but watch and wait? No court martial would do more than strip him of his rank for such misconduct. And then what? As a rating, he'd be slaughtered by the other men. And who would replace him? And would the French refrain from attacking us while we settled our petty differences? No, I must give him his head until some act puts him squarely counter to the law and then let the law consume him. What would you do if you were captain of this ship?
Lieutenant Seymour
I'm not captain of the ship, sir.
Captain Vere
One day you may be, Philip. Then, remember.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Captain Vere mandates officers to wear swords.
Captain Vere
Mr. Seymour, officers are to wear swords all the time from now on.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Strength and Friendship in Challenging Times
Claggert
None of you have anything to say?
[coming in after a "friendly fight" between Jenkins and Budd]
Dansker
It was nothing master-at-arms — a test of strength.
Claggert
You'll need your strength for the fighting to come, boy. Aye Budd, you do indeed make friends quickly. That's a good quality to have.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Struggling to Express Deep Convictions
Billy Budd
It's wrong to flog a man. I … d…d… … It's against his being a man.
[pauses to hold back from stuttering]
Jenkins
Aye! Aye, lad — it is that!
Dansker
Why do you stammer boy?
Billy Budd
Because I sometimes can't find the words … for what I feel.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Mixed Review of a Meal
Jenkins
Like it Billy? Taste good?
[as Billy eats his first shipboard meal]
Billy Budd
It's hot and there's a lot of it. I like everything about it except the flavor.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Reflections on Death and Friendship at Sea
William O'Daniel
Well, that's the end of Enoch Jenkins. Over the side he goes and his mates soon forget him.
[After Jenkins' burial at sea]
Alan Payne
They'll not forget him so soon, I'm thinking.
Dansker
Ah, whatever happened to Jenkins, he ain't worried now. He got a hundred fathoms between him and the troubles of his life.
Billy Budd
I'd rather be buried at sea than on the shore when I come to die. Will you stand by the plank, mates, so I can shake a friendly hand before I sink?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Burden of Law and Discretion
Claggert
We must serve the law sir, or give up the right and privilege of service. it is only within that law that we may use our discretion according to our rank.
Captain Vere
Your so lucid and so intelligent for the rank you hold, Master-at-Arms.
Claggert
I thank you, Sir.
Captain Vere
Yes. That's no flattery, Mr. Claggert — it's a melancholy fact. It's sad to see such qualities of mind bent to such a sorry purpose. What's the reason for it?
Claggert
I am what I am, sir — and what the world has made me.
Captain Vere
The world? The world demands that behind every peacemaker there be the gun, the gallows, the jail. Do you think it will always be so?
Claggert
I have no reason not to, sir.
Captain Vere
You live without hope?
Claggert
I live.
Captain Vere
Then remember, Mr. Claggert, that even the man who wields the whip cannot defy the code we must obey — and not be broken by it. That will be all.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Duty Over Rights in Leadership
Lieutenant Seymour
Aye sir, that is your right.
Captain Vere
It's no right. Which one of us here have rights? It's my duty and I must perform it.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Conflict Between Law and Justice
Lieutenant Seymour
Wyatt, we do not deal with justice here, but with the law.
Lieutenant Wyatt
Was not the one conceived to serve the other?
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The Nature of Truth and Deception
Billy Budd
There are many ways to lie, Mr. Claggert, but there is only one way to tell the ].
[[truth]
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Calm Waters and Impressions Aboard Ship
Billy Budd
Would it be alright if I stayed topside a little bit to watch the water?
Claggert
I suppose a handsome sailor may do many things forbidden to his mess-mates.
Billy Budd
Sea's calm tonight, i'nt it? Calm and peaceful.
Claggert
You've made a good impression on the captain, Billy Budd. You have a pleasant way with you.
Billy Budd
Oh, thank you sir.
Claggert
If you wish to make a good impression with me too however, you will need to curb your tongue.
Billy Budd
Now, sir?
Claggert
Not now. Can it be that you really don't understand my words? Is it ignorance or irony that makes you speak so simply?
Billy Budd
It must be ignorance, sir — because I don't understand the other word.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Farewell and Faith in God
Captain Nathaniel Graveling
] go with you, Billy Budd, for it's a fact that you go with God!
[[God]
Billy Budd
: Right you are! Good-bye to you too ol Rights of Man!
[being pressed into service aboard the H.M.S. Avenger]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Challenge of Defense in Accusation
Captain Vere
Give the lad his chance. You've made your accusation, master at arms. it is up to him to defend himself.
Claggert
With all due respect sir —
Captain Vere
Mr, Claggert!
Claggert
I don't think he can. It is not that he can't find the words — as that there are no words to find.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.