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.

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

The Mediterranean has the colors of a mackerel, changeable I mean. You don’t always know if it is green or violet—you can’t even say it’s blue, because the next moment the changing light has taken on a tinge of pink or gray.

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.

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

The sea hath no king but God alone.

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

We are as near to heaven by sea as by land!

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

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

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

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

The wonderful sea charmed me from the first.