Let your companions be such as yourself, or superior; for the worth of a man will always be ruled by that of his company.

More from Admiral Collingwood

• Guard carefully against letting discontent appear in you; it is sorrow to your friends, a triumph to your competitors, and cannot be productive of any good.
• Nature has sown in man the seeds of knowledge; but they must be cultivated, to produce fruit.
• Now, gentlemen, let us do something today which the world may talk of hereafter.
• Read – let me charge you to read. Study books that treat of your profession, and of history.
• Wisdom does not come by instinct, but will be found when diligently sought for; seek her, she will be a friend that will never fail you.
• You may depend on it, that it is more in your own power than in any one else’s to promote both your comfort and advancement.