Many, many steeples would have to be stacked one on top of another to reach from the bottom to the surface of the sea. It is down there that the sea folk live.

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

The life of a sailor is very unhealthy.

The wonderful sea charmed me from the first.

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

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.

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.

All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full.

He who commands the sea has command of everything.

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

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.

I’ve been bathing in the poem / Of star-infused and milky sea / Devouring the azure greens.