Quote by Terry Pratchett
Some pirates achieved immortality by great deeds of cruelty or derring-do. Some achieved immortality by amassing great wealth. But the captain had long ago decided that he would, on the whole, prefer to achieve immortality by not dying.
Summary
This quote highlights the different paths to immortality taken by pirates. While some pirates became infamous through acts of cruelty or bravery, and others through accumulating wealth, the captain mentioned here prefers a less risky approach. By choosing to avoid death altogether, the captain aims to achieve a kind of eternal existence. It suggests that the captain values longevity and staying alive above the other ways that pirates traditionally seek immortality.