The Education of Cruisers

[redbopeep]

I've just run across a great quote by Mark Twain that seems especially fitting for sailors. It reminds me that the most experienced cruisers I've met are often the most humble:

"Education: the path from cocky ignorance to miserable uncertainty."

It goes along with two other good quotes about the sea:

"Whenever your preparations for the sea are poor; the sea worms its way in and finds the problems."

- Francis Stokes

"The art of the sailor is to leave nothing to chance."

-Annie Van De Wiele

[Auzzee]

"Education: the path from cocky ignorance to miserable uncertainty".

This quote, I think, exactly describes the depression which dogged the life of the venerable Samuel Clemens. If indeed miserable uncertainty is the product of education, then I will be happy to continue to bask within the warm glow of ignorance.

William Arthur Ward said:
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change: the realist trims the sails".

And from Johnny Depp
"That's what a ship is, you know. It's not a hull and a deck and sails. That's what a ship needs. But what a ship is. What the Black Pearl really is...is freedom".

Incidentally the above quotes are from: http://www.quotesdaddy.com/tag/Sailing
It's a good site to look through when you have half an hour to spare.

[redbopeep]

Thanks for the quote site link!

The Mark Twain quote reminds me of the oft stated “The more you know, the more you know you don't know and the more you know that you don't know.” The trick is to stop at the point of humility and just before the miserable uncertainty. LOL.

[Coyote]

Auzzee, I'm gonna steal that Captain Sparrow line.

[Auzzee]

Me too Coyote. It's good to see that great and pertinent quotes regarding the anachronistic way we transport ourselves with 'sticks and rags' don't all come from the 19th century.

[Auzzee]

Here's a few more wise words.

“The man who would be fully employed should procure a ship or a woman, for no two things produce more trouble” – Plautus

“The sea finds out everything you did wrong.” - Francis Stokes


“He who lets the sea lull him into a sense of security is in very grave danger.” -Hammon Ines

“Sailors, with their built in sense of order, service and discipline, should really be running the world.” - Nicholas Monsarrat

“Wind is to us what money is to life on shore.” -Sterling Hayden


“When a man comes to like a sea life, he is not fit to live on land.”- Dr. Samuel Johnson


“The wonder is always new that any sane man can be a sailor.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

[haiqu]

Originally Posted by Auzzee

“The man who would be fully employed should procure a ship or a woman, for no two things produce more trouble” – Plautus

Hahaha. I used to share a house with a young guy whose favourite saying was: "If it has tits or tyres, you're going to have trouble with it." Seems like this has always been the case ...

[Auzzee]

Originally Posted by haiqu

Hahaha. I used to share a house with a young guy whose favourite saying was: "If it has tits or tyres, you're going to have trouble with it." Seems like this has always been the case ...

The interesting thing is Plautus, who penned the quote, died in 184BC.

I have just been reading a little further; methinks good Plautus must have crashed it with women in general. Another of his quotes:

"There's no such thing, you know, as picking out the best woman: it's only a question of comparative badness, brother".

Obviously he was well on the way to misogyny. Personally I think women are nifty!

[Coyote]

I've given up on women entirely. and am now dedicated to ruining myself with boats.

Oh, wait...

[Auzzee]

I have just commenced a new book which carries the quote from Wanderer by Sterling Hayden:

"To be truly challenging,a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine transverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea..."cruising" it is called.
Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change.
Only then will you know what the sea is all about".

So, there ya go! Validation for the down at heel; the green light for the terminally poor; The get-out-and-do-it for the adventurous paupers such as wot I is.

Mr Hayden must have been a real card at a yacht club party!

[Auzzee]

Lots of really good quotes here:
http://www.cruiserlog.com/forums/f16...otes-1246.html

[water sign]

GREAT thread you started BoPeep!! Auzzee you are quite well read, really enjoy your humor too. Coyote you are pretty damn funny!! This water baby has been gettin a good education reading through various threads, thanks to ya'll!! With your great writing, humor, & amazing knowledge I am enjoying this new computer thing & learning a lot. Wishin ya'll a good wind & smooth sailin, be safe out there sailors ;-))

[Silver Raven]

Originally Posted by water sign

GREAT thread you started BoPeep!! Auzzee you are quite well read, really enjoy your humor too. Coyote you are pretty damn funny!! This water baby has been gettin a good education reading through various threads, thanks to ya'll!! With your great writing, humor, & amazing knowledge I am enjoying this new computer thing & learning a lot. Wishin ya'll a good wind & smooth sailin, be safe out there sailors ;-))

Gooday 'water-sign' - me also. Top class people, eh ??? Ha ha.

How do you get from Lake Tahoe to the ocean - some tricky navigation - I'd think.

Do you know an Ed or Eddie Brent & Melani - think he might run a fishing charter business or something like that ??? One of the best sailors I ever had the pleasure of knowing & a fab guy.

Great place you've got over there - but way to cold for me. I'm a 'wooose' for sure. Enjoy your weekend - ! ! do you do much sailing ??? Ciao, james

[haiqu]

Originally Posted by Auzzee

So, there ya go! Validation for the down at heel; the green light for the terminally poor; The get-out-and-do-it for the adventurous paupers such as wot I is.

Mr Hayden must have been a real card at a yacht club party!

He must be reading my mail!

Rob

[water sign]

Thanks Silver
Don't know Ed.
Have sailed but not much, hope to do more!
Top class people eh??? Means integrity & intelligence to me.