The wonderful sea charmed me from the first.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

He who commands the sea has command of everything.

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

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

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

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.

The breaking of a wave cannot explain the whole sea.

The sea receives us in a proper way only when we are without clothes.