Do not be afraid. Head for the ocean.

What it means

Ducklings raised by a hen are taught to fear the water they were born for. Rumi tells them to ignore the nurse and swim. If you were made for deep water, do not let anyone keep you on dry land.

The source

"Do not be afraid. Head for the ocean." Rumi said it in Masnavi II, The Ducklings Raised by a Hen. Translated by E. H. Whinfield, 1898.

"Though thy nurse may frighten thee away from water, Do thou fear not, but haste on into the ocean"

E. H. Whinfield, 1898, Masnavi II, The Ducklings Raised by a Hen. Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Rumi (1207–1273). Persian poet and Sufi teacher, born near Balkh and settled in Konya. His Masnavi, six books of rhyming couplets, opens with the song of a reed flute.

Questions

What does "Do not be afraid. Head for the ocean." mean?

Ducklings raised by a hen are taught to fear the water they were born for. Rumi tells them to ignore the nurse and swim. If you were made for deep water, do not let anyone keep you on dry land.

Who said "Do not be afraid. Head for the ocean."?

Rumi (1207–1273). Source: Masnavi II, The Ducklings Raised by a Hen.

What is the original wording?

Though thy nurse may frighten thee away from water, Do thou fear not, but haste on into the ocean (E. H. Whinfield, 1898). Translated by E. H. Whinfield, 1898.

Is "Do not be afraid. Head for the ocean." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Do not be afraid. Head for the ocean." (Rumi, Masnavi II, The Ducklings Raised by a Hen, trans. E. H. Whinfield, 1898). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/do-not-be-afraid-head-for-the-ocean