If its a smaller ship than you, attack it.
If its the same size as you, but you have better men, attack it.
If its bigger than you, but you have more men, attack it.
If its the same size as you, and has backup, get more ships and attack it.
If the battle is not going your way, board them.
If they have less men than you, board them.
If they have the same number, or more men than you, but yours are better, board them.
If the battle is going south, fight to the death rather than surrendering, your men might still pull it off. Repairing is better than rebuilding.
Fire ships are your friend
Fire ships are your enemy
Your own fire ships are your enemy
The enemies fireships are your friend
When in doubt, RAMMING SPEED!
He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day
He who flees every battle is a coward
If its Spanish, sink it.
If your working for the Spaniards, ignore previous rule.
If its Spanish, prepare for an ass kicking

Forget buy low sell high! Pillage and Plunder and sell for whatevers offered!
After replacing your ship for the third time in a week, find a good trade route
Steal very low, sell as high as you can
Avoid stealing from the Spaniards, as you will get your ass kicked
Always steal from the Spanish, as they have an insane amount of Gold.
Don't bite the hand that gives you safe harbor (Dont piss everyone off at once)
Merchant ships dont carry many cannons
Merchant ships have big escorts
Merchant ships have lots of stuff
War is good for business
Peace is good for business
Sleeping with the bosses daughter is good for business
Sleeping with the bosses daughter is bad for business
Opprotunity plus instinct equals profit (Or death)
Nothing is more important than your health, except money
It never hurts to suck up to the boss
Don't trust a man wearing a nicer suit than your own
Ask not what your profits can do for you, but what you can do for your profits
Sleep can interfere with profit
Never sleep with the bosses sister
Sleep with the boss
Let others keep their reputation, you keep their money
Hear all, trust nothing
The justification of profit, is profit
More is good, all is better
Conscience? Ain't nobody got time for that