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.

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.

Alone, alone, all, all alone, / Alone on a wide, wide sea!

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Tomorrow we take to the mighty sea.

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