They talk of a man betraying his country, his friends, his sweetheart. There must be a moral bond first. All a man can betray is his conscience.

To be busy with material affairs is the best preservative against reflection, fears, doubts ... all these things which stand in the way of achievement. I suppose a fellow proposing to cut his throat would experience a sort of relief while occupied in stropping his razor carefully.

For there is nothing mysterious to a seaman unless it be the sea itself, which is the mistress of his existence.

The sea - this truth must be confessed - has no generosity. No display of manly qualities - courage, hardihood, endurance, faithfulness - has ever been known to touch its irresponsible consciousness of power.

Follow your bliss. Find where it is and don't be afraid to follow it.

He has to live in the midst of the incomprehensible, which is also detestable.

Any fool can carry on, but a wise man knows how to shorten sail in time.