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.

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

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.

A fair complexion is unbecoming to a sailor: he ought to be swarthy from the waters of the sea and the rays of the sun.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

I am ill every time it blows hard, and nothing but my enthusiastic love for the profession keeps me one hour at sea.

Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.

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

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