The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

I never even saw the use of the sea. Many a sad heart has it caused, and many a sick stomach has it occasioned! The boldest sailor climbs on board with a heavy soul and leaps on land with a light spirit.

The bathing was so delightful this morning, and Molly so pressing with me to enjoy myself, that I believe I stayed in rather too long, as since the middle of the day I have felt unreasonably tired. I shall be more careful another time, and shall not bathe tomorrow as I had before intended.

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most.

In all the ancient states and empires, those who had the shipping, had the wealth.

Without a decisive naval force, we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious.

Being thus arrived in good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stale earth, their proper element.

I am ill every time it blows hard, and nothing but my enthusiastic love for the profession keeps me one hour at sea.

He who commands the sea has command of everything.

But look, our seas are what we make of them, full of fish or not, opaque or transparent, red or black, high or smooth, narrow or bankless—and we are ourselves sea, sand, coral, seaweed, beaches, tides, swimmers, children, waves.

And to our age’s drowsy blood / Still shouts the inspiring sea.

The wonderful sea charmed me from the first.

He who travels by sea is nothing but a worm on a piece of wood, a trifle in the midst of a powerful creation. The waters play about with him at will, and no one but God can help him.