Seafarers go to sleep in the evening not knowing whether they will find themselves at the bottom of the sea the next morning.

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 sea yields action to the body, meditation to the mind, the world to the world, all parts thereof to each part, by this art of arts—navigation.

The sea hath no king but God alone.

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

The life of a sailor is very unhealthy.

It is He who has subdued the ocean so that you may eat of its fresh fish and bring up from its depth ornaments to wear. Behold the ships plowing their course through it. All this, that you may seek His bounty and render thanks.

Seaward ho! Hang the treasure! It’s the glory of the sea that has turned my head.

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

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

He that commands the sea is at great liberty and may take as much and as little of the war as he will.

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.

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm’s way.