Wilhelm II

“ Exulting in his strength, he soars in the air in the rays of God's sun; he knows naught of fear or danger. Such should be your ambition and all your aims. You are entering now upon a period in the course of which you will, at times, experience difficulty in carrying out the duties which are imposed on you by the service, and there may be hours in which you will feel that you are unequal to your tasks. ”

“ Our Navy is, to the outward eye, but small, but what makes us stronger than other navies is discipline and strict obedience to superiors. These principles will help our Navy to prosper and become great in times of peace, so that it may promote the welfare of the country, and, let us pray God, destroy the enemy in war. ”