[He crosses one arm across his chest, cups his elbow and takes another slow, considering drink.]
Most folk will do honest work if you let them. If they're paid decently and respected. If they feel that they can eke out a living not just for survival's sake but for the betterment of their life and loved ones. I've not seen a man turn to piracy that wasn't driven to it by some mistreatment. But it doesn't make them good men. It makes them dangerous.
[When he thinks of a consummate pirate, his first thoughts are not for Teach, not for Hornigold, not for any of the old guard. He thinks of Vane. A hard man, merciless, yet with a strange sense of honour twisted up and disfigured like the wrecks in Nassau's bay. Vane lived without compromise. It's something Flint can respect well enough, though he'd have tore out the man's throat given half a chance. Still, his reputation among the Bahamas was well earned.]
no subject
Most folk will do honest work if you let them. If they're paid decently and respected. If they feel that they can eke out a living not just for survival's sake but for the betterment of their life and loved ones. I've not seen a man turn to piracy that wasn't driven to it by some mistreatment. But it doesn't make them good men. It makes them dangerous.
[When he thinks of a consummate pirate, his first thoughts are not for Teach, not for Hornigold, not for any of the old guard. He thinks of Vane. A hard man, merciless, yet with a strange sense of honour twisted up and disfigured like the wrecks in Nassau's bay. Vane lived without compromise. It's something Flint can respect well enough, though he'd have tore out the man's throat given half a chance. Still, his reputation among the Bahamas was well earned.]