---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Mizzenmast,” bellowed Caldris, and Locke…"
description: "\"“Mizzenmast,” bellowed Caldris, and Locke and Jean both fetched up short, breathing heavily. “Ship doesn’t bloody have one,” said Locke. “Just foremast..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/scott-lynch-1437_gaze_mizzenmast-bellowed-caldris-and-locke-an_833269.png"
---

#  Mizzenmast,” bellowed Caldris, and Locke and Jean both…

![“Mizzenmast,” bellowed Caldris, and Locke and Jean both fetched up short, breathing heavily. “Ship doesn’t bloody have one,” said Locke. “Just foremast and mainmast!” “Oh, clever you! You’ve undone my subtle ruse, Master Kosta. Get your bloody uniform and we’ll let you act the peacock for a few…” quote by Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/scott-lynch-1437_gaze_mizzenmast-bellowed-caldris-and-locke-an_833269.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/scott-lynch-1437_gaze_mizzenmast-bellowed-caldris-and-locke-an_833269.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/scott-lynch-1437_gaze_mizzenmast-bellowed-caldris-and-locke-an_833269.png)

> ““Mizzenmast,” bellowed Caldris, and Locke and Jean both fetched up short, breathing heavily. “Ship doesn’t bloody have one,” said Locke. “Just foremast and mainmast!” “Oh, clever you! You’ve undone my subtle ruse, Master Kosta. Get your bloody uniform and we’ll let you act the peacock for a few hours.””

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A character mocks another’s lack of a ship’s mizzenmast, exposing a failed ruse and prompting a sarcastic, violent threat.

**In simple terms:** Mockery reveals a failed plan and leads to a hostile response.

Key Takeaway

Beware of exposing others’ weaknesses.

Themes

deception pride conflict humor

Mood

tense sarcastic darkly humorous

Type

dialogue dramatic comic

When to use this quote

- pirate crew
- battlefield
- political intrigue

Key Concepts

strategic manipulation social hierarchy

Questions to Reflect On

- What are the risks of mocking someone’s incompetence?
- How does humor defuse tension?

A Different Perspective

The threat escalates violence, showing humor can mask aggression.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/)

## Related quotes

> [“Yes," said Locke."Yes, Master Ibelius. I'm going to put that fucker in the dirt as deeply as any man who's ever been murdered, ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/yes-said-locke-yes-master-ibelius-i-m-going-to-put-that-fucker-in-the/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“Jassaline's little potion seems to have brought up every meal I've had in the past five years." said Locke. "Nothing left to spit up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/jassaline-s-little-potion-seems-to-have-brought-up-every-meal-i-ve/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“Just one question, you arrogant fucking cocksucker" said Locke. "I'll grant the Lamora part is easy to spot; the truth is, I didn't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/just-one-question-you-arrogant-fucking-cocksucker-said-locke-i-ll/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“I keep asking myself," whispered Sabetha, giving Locke's arm a squeeze, "ARE we smarter than that woman's chicken?" "At the moment, it's an open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/i-keep-asking-myself-whispered-sabetha-giving-locke-s-arm-a-squeeze/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“What thief does not fight to hold what he has?" "One that has something better," said Locke.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/what-thief-does-not-fight-to-hold-what-he-has-one-that-has-something/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“ I want to hug you. And I want to tear your gods-damned head off. Both at once." "Ah," said Locke. "Near as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/i-want-to-hug-you-and-i-want-to-tear-your-gods-damned-head-off-both/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“It’s an old Camorri tradition for when a bunch of people are planning something stupid,” said Locke. “Actually, we have a lot of traditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/it-s-an-old-camorri-tradition-for-when-a-bunch-of-people-are-planning/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“I'm not gong to kill you," said Locke I'm going to play a little game I like to call 'Scream in pain until you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/i-m-not-gong-to-kill-you-said-locke-i-m-going-to-play-a-little-game-i/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“Chains used to claim that there’s no freedom quite like the freedom of being constantly underestimated,” said Locke.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/chains-used-to-claim-that-there-s-no-freedom-quite-like-the-freedom/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“We go now," said Locke, "or I leave you here to die. Understanding is a luxury; you don't get to have it. Sorry.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/we-go-now-said-locke-or-i-leave-you-here-to-die-understanding-is-a/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“Locke sighed. 'So this is winning,' he said. 'It is,' replied Jean. 'It can go fuck itself,' said Locke.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/locke-sighed-so-this-is-winning-he-said-it-is-replied-jean-it-can-go/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“Master Thorn... you have a curiously tender heart, for a thief of your appetites." "I'm a sworn brother of the Nameless Thirteenth, the Crooked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/master-thorn-you-have-a-curiously-tender-heart-for-a-thief-of-your/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“When you see the Crooked Warden," said Locke, twisting something in his hands, "tell him that Locke Lamora learns slowly, but he learns well.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/when-you-see-the-crooked-warden-said-locke-twisting-something-in-his/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“You've got that motherly concern in your eyes, Jean. I must look like I'm hammered as shit," said Locke. "Actually you look like you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/you-ve-got-that-motherly-concern-in-your-eyes-jean-i-must-look-like-i/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“That's a sweet piece," said Jean, briefly forgetting to be aggravated. "You didn't snatch that off a street." "No," said Locke, before taking another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/that-s-a-sweet-piece-said-jean-briefly-forgetting-to-be-aggravated/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

## More by Scott Lynch

> [“Please, boy. Let’s not start out with either of us insulting the other’s intelligence. There are only three people in life you can never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/please-boy-let-s-not-start-out-with-either-of-us-insulting-the-other/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“Gentlemen Bastards." hissed Locke, "do not abandon one another, and we do not run when we owe vengeance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/gentlemen-bastards-hissed-locke-do-not-abandon-one-another-and-we-do/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“Ha! Yes. When anyone tells you habits die hard, Locke, they’re lying—it seems they never die at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/ha-yes-when-anyone-tells-you-habits-die-hard-locke-they-re-lying-it/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“ESPARA, FORMERLY a seat of prestige only one step below Therim Pel itself, had descended from its imperial years the way some men and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/espara-formerly-a-seat-of-prestige-only-one-step-below-therim-pel/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [Advice,' Doña Vorchenza chuckled. 'Advice. The years play a sort of alchemical trick, transmuting one's mutterings to a state of respectability. Give advice at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/advice-do-a-vorchenza-chuckled-advice-the-years-play-a-sort-of/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“Ibelius," said Jean. "If what Locke is doing were lurking about, corpses could be acrobats.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/ibelius-said-jean-if-what-locke-is-doing-were-lurking-about-corpses/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [Any man can fart in a closed room and say that he commands the wind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/any-man-can-fart-in-a-closed-room-and-say-that-he-commands-the-wind/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“What an interesting choice of words. “Not real, and never were.” Could there be any more appropriate literature for men of our profession? Why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/what-an-interesting-choice-of-words-not-real-and-never-were-could/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“Why were all his fantasies so calamitous for that table, which had done him no injury?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/why-were-all-his-fantasies-so-calamitous-for-that-table-which-had/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“I more proudly take a speck from a man with empty pockets,” said Sabetha, “than riches from a man whose purse stays heavy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/i-more-proudly-take-a-speck-from-a-man-with-empty-pockets-said/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“He was bewildered at how quickly he had escaped his old life and fallen into this new one with strangely pleasant crazy people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/he-was-bewildered-at-how-quickly-he-had-escaped-his-old-life-and/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [I think piracy is a bit like drinking. You want to stay out all night doing it, you pay the price the next day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/i-think-piracy-is-a-bit-like-drinking-you-want-to-stay-out-all-night/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“That's a sweet piece," said Jean, briefly forgetting to be aggravated. "You didn't snatch that off a street." "No," said Locke, before taking another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/that-s-a-sweet-piece-said-jean-briefly-forgetting-to-be-aggravated/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“But time’s a river, Locke, and we’ve always drifted farther down it than we think.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/but-time-s-a-river-locke-and-we-ve-always-drifted-farther-down-it/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

> [“I understand, my lord. I…don’t wish to embarrass you again.” “Embarrass me? Jean, you misunderstand.” Maranzalla kicked idly at the toy rapier, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/i-understand-my-lord-i-don-t-wish-to-embarrass-you-again-embarrass-me/)

[Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

[Explore all 241 Scott Lynch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/)

## More Gaze quotes

> [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/)

[Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/)

> [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/)

[J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/)

> [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/)

[Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/)

> [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/)

[Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/)

> [“still feel the same way? Could he have changed this much on the inside too? Struggling for the right words, I opened my mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-wild/still-feel-the-same-way-could-he-have-changed-this-much-on-the-inside/)

[Meredith Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-wild/)

> [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/)

[Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/)

> [“Don’t you remember how hot we were together, Lane? God.” He takes a quick breath through clenched teeth and runs his hand down my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-a-valentine/don-t-you-remember-how-hot-we-were-together-lane-god-he-takes-a-quick/)

[Michelle A. Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-a-valentine/)

> [“She knew how to play him so very well. He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly. Her smile was bright enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/she-knew-how-to-play-him-so-very-well-he-slipped-his-hand-around-hers/)

[Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/)

> [“Damn.” Phineas turned the Big Boy off, then noticed he’d left the box on the bed. Damn, had Zoltan seen it? He stuffed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrelyn-sparks/damn-phineas-turned-the-big-boy-off-then-noticed-he-d-left-the-box-on/)

[Kerrelyn Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrelyn-sparks/)

> [“Now you," Grandma barks at him. "Yes, you, the invisible truck driver," she added, giving me a wicked grin. "Go stand next to Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/now-you-grandma-barks-at-him-yes-you-the-invisible-truck-driver-she/)

[Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/)

> [His fingertips slid down from my face, lightly stroking the line of my neck, down toward my shoulder. Everywhere he touched, a trail of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/his-fingertips-slid-down-from-my-face-lightly-stroking-the-line-of-my/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/)

[Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/)

> [“You know when I said I didn't need you?" I asked. He lifted one brow. "I was so wrong.I can't find words to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/you-know-when-i-said-i-didn-t-need-you-i-asked-he-lifted-one-brow-i/)

[Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/)

> [“I didn’t say it just to get you to jump. I’m in love with you, Zane,” he admitted in a calm, clear voice. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-urban/i-didn-t-say-it-just-to-get-you-to-jump-i-m-in-love-with-you-zane-he/)

[Madeleine Urban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-urban/)

> [“This explains so much," she said, clucking her tongue in mother-hen fashion. "You're compensating for this withered appendage." Withered appendage? What the devil was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/this-explains-so-much-she-said-clucking-her-tongue-in-mother-hen/)

[Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/)

Browse all 15,087 Gaze quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Mizzenmast,” bellowed Caldris, and Locke and Jean both fetched up short, breathing heavily. “Ship doesn’t bloody have one,” said Locke. “Just foremast and mainmast!” “Oh, clever you! You’ve undone my subtle ruse, Master Kosta. Get your bloody uniform and we’ll let you act the peacock for a few hours.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Scott Lynch"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/mizzenmast-bellowed-caldris-and-locke-and-jean-both-fetched-up-short/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Gaze"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/mizzenmast-bellowed-caldris-and-locke-and-jean-both-fetched-up-short/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/scott-lynch-1437_gaze_mizzenmast-bellowed-caldris-and-locke-an_833269.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/scott-lynch-1437_gaze_mizzenmast-bellowed-caldris-and-locke-an_833269.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b2/scott-lynch-1437_gaze_mizzenmast-bellowed-caldris-and-locke-an_833269.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Mizzenmast,” bellowed Caldris, and Locke and Jean both fetched up short, breathing heavily. “Ship doesn’t…” — Scott Lynch",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Scott Lynch",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Mizzenmast,” bellowed Caldris, and Locke and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/mizzenmast-bellowed-caldris-and-locke-and-jean-both-fetched-up-short/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/mizzenmast-bellowed-caldris-and-locke-and-jean-both-fetched-up-short/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
