Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board.

Of all objects that I have ever seen, there is none which affects my imagination so much as the sea or ocean. A troubled ocean, to a man who sails upon it, is, I think, the biggest object that he can see in motion, and consequently gives his imagination one of the highest kinds of pleasure that can arise from greatness.

The power which the sea requires in the sailor makes a man of him very fast, and the change of shores and population clears his head of much nonsense of his wigwam.

The snotgreen sea. The scrotumtightening sea.

As to the sea itself, love it you cannot. Why should you? I will never believe again the sea was ever loved by anyone whose life was married to it. It is the creation of omnipotence, which is not of humankind and understandable, and so the springs of its behavior are hidden.

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.

Seamen are the nearest to death and the furthest from God.

What will not attract a man’s stare at sea?—a gull, a turtle, a flying fish!

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

Never trust her at any time when the calm sea shows her false alluring smile.

The legislator is like the navigator of a ship on the high seas. He can steer the vessel on which he sails, but he cannot alter its construction, raise the wind, or stop the waves from swelling beneath his feet.

The sea hath fish for every man.

The sole business of a seaman onshore who has to go to sea again is to take as much pleasure as he can.