He who commands the sea has command of everything.

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.

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

The legislator is like the navigator of a ship on the high seas. He can steer the vessel on which he sails, but he cannot alter its construction, raise the wind, or stop the waves from swelling beneath his feet.

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.

Ocean. A body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man—who has no gills.

The sole business of a seaman onshore who has to go to sea again is to take as much pleasure as he can.

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

Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.

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.

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

The wonderful sea charmed me from the first.

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