The sea doesn't sink ships. The winds do.

What it means

The setting is rarely the real cause of disaster. What wrecks you is the force that drives you, inside or out. Look for the wind, not just the water.

The source

"The sea doesn't sink ships. The winds do." This Russian proverb is recorded in Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Cause — Excuse" («Причина — Отговорка»). Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

"Не море топит корабли, а ветры."

Original Russian, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Cause — Excuse" («Причина — Отговорка»). Text read at ru.wikisource.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 "The sea doesn't sink ships. The winds do." mean?

The setting is rarely the real cause of disaster. What wrecks you is the force that drives you, inside or out. Look for the wind, not just the water.

Who said "The sea doesn't sink ships. The winds do."?

Russian proverb. Source: Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Cause — Excuse" («Причина — Отговорка»).

What is the original Russian?

Не море топит корабли, а ветры. Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

Is "The sea doesn't sink ships. The winds do." on a shirt?

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

"The sea doesn't sink ships. The winds do." (Russian proverb, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Cause — Excuse" («Причина — Отговорка»), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/the-sea-doesnt-sink-ships-the-winds-do