The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1870Quotes
Without a decisive naval force, we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious.
—George Washington, 1781The sea hath no king but God alone.
—Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1881I 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.
—Benjamin Disraeli, 1827You 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.
—Thomas Traherne, c. 1670Tomorrow we take to the mighty sea.
—Horace, 23 BCHe who commands the sea has command of everything.
—Francis Bacon, c. 1600The 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.
—Jane Austen, 1804I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm’s way.
—John Paul Jones, 1778And to our age’s drowsy blood / Still shouts the inspiring sea.
—James Russell Lowell, 1848The wonderful sea charmed me from the first.
—Joshua Slocum, 1900Alone, alone, all, all alone, / Alone on a wide, wide sea!
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1798The snotgreen sea. The scrotumtightening sea.
—James Joyce, 1922