Nothing breaks a man like the sea, however strong he is.

What it means

Odysseus, washed up after days in the water, looks worn out, and his hosts say the sea does that to anyone. Respect the ocean. Strength is no excuse for carelessness.

The source

"Nothing breaks a man like the sea, however strong he is." Homer said it in Odyssey 8.138-139. Translated from the original Greek by Spartan Surfers.

"οὐ γὰρ ἐγώ γέ τί φημι κακώτερον ἄλλο θαλάσσης ἄνδρα γε συγχεῦαι, εἰ καὶ μάλα καρτερὸς εἴη."

Original Greek, Odyssey 8.138-139. Text read at github.com.

Who said it

Homer (c. 8th century BC). The poet of the Iliad and the Odyssey, the war at Troy and the long sail home. Greeks learned courage, endurance and the sea from his lines.

Questions

What does "Nothing breaks a man like the sea, however strong he is." mean?

Odysseus, washed up after days in the water, looks worn out, and his hosts say the sea does that to anyone. Respect the ocean. Strength is no excuse for carelessness.

Who said "Nothing breaks a man like the sea, however strong he is."?

Homer (c. 8th century BC). Source: Odyssey 8.138-139.

What is the original Greek?

οὐ γὰρ ἐγώ γέ τί φημι κακώτερον ἄλλο θαλάσσης ἄνδρα γε συγχεῦαι, εἰ καὶ μάλα καρτερὸς εἴη. Translated from the original Greek by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Nothing breaks a man like the sea, however strong he is." on a shirt?

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

"Nothing breaks a man like the sea, however strong he is." (Homer, Odyssey 8.138-139, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/nothing-breaks-a-man-like-the-sea-however