Once you're at sea, you either sail or sink.

What it means

After you commit, there is no halfway. Out on the water, hesitation is not an option. Make the decision and give it everything.

The source

"Once you're at sea, you either sail or sink." This Danish proverb is recorded in Bohn, A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs (1857), Danish Proverbs. Translated from the original Danish by Spartan Surfers.

"Hvo der kommer paa Søen, maa enten seile eller synke."

Original Danish, Bohn, A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs (1857), Danish Proverbs. Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "Once you're at sea, you either sail or sink." mean?

After you commit, there is no halfway. Out on the water, hesitation is not an option. Make the decision and give it everything.

Who said "Once you're at sea, you either sail or sink."?

Danish proverb. Source: Bohn, A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs (1857), Danish Proverbs.

What is the original Danish?

Hvo der kommer paa Søen, maa enten seile eller synke. Translated from the original Danish by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Once you're at sea, you either sail or sink." on a shirt?

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

"Once you're at sea, you either sail or sink." (Danish proverb, Bohn, A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs (1857), Danish Proverbs, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/once-youre-at-sea-you-either-sail-or