Lieutenant Seymour Quotes in Billy Budd (1962)

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?

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.

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.