Martin’s Sayings
Salt-crusted wisdom from the fictional logbook — every line invented for Martin, in Martin’s voice.
Clearly fictional. Martin Tidewell is an invented character, so these are invented sayings — written by this site’s authors in the voice we imagine for him. Treat them as fan fiction with good rhythm, not as quotations.
“The sea keeps what it’s owed. Pay in respect, and it pays you back in sunrises.”
— The Captain’s Log (fictional)
“A knot is a promise you make with your hands. Make it well, and the sea will hold you to it.”
— to a new deckhand, first lesson (fictional)
“There are two kinds of weather: weather, and weather you complain about. I recommend the first.”
— Day 4 of the Squall (fictional)
“The short way is overrated. Give me the long way, with all its detours, every time.”
— on the Long Way Home (fictional)
“The sea gives the rescues. I just row.”
— after Lantern Reef (fictional)
“Any captain who won’t mend his own sails has forgotten what he asks of other hands.”
— mess-deck saying (fictional)
“Whistling never saved a ship. But it has saved a captain’s nerve, which amounts to the same thing.”
— on the Teeth of the Kraken (fictional)
“Feed the cat first. The rest of the harbor can wait its turn.”
— rule of every homecoming (fictional)
“A calm sea never taught anyone to sail, but it taught me to listen. Both lessons were worth the waiting.”
— Day 7 of the Glass Calm (fictional)
“Democracy is safe in Gullhaven.”
— election day (fictional; the gull won)