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.

Ashore it’s wine, women, and song; aboard it’s rum, bum, and concertina.

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

Why is a ship under sail more poetical than a hog in a high wind? The hog is all nature, the ship is all art.

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

You never enjoy the world aright, till the sea itself floweth in your veins, till you are clothed with the heavens, and crowned with the stars.

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

The snotgreen sea. The scrotumtightening sea.

Take back your golden fiddles, and we’ll beat to open sea.

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.

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

Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.

We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea—whether it is to sail or to watch it—we are going back whence we came.