The sea is calm as long as you stand on the shore.

What it means

Things look peaceful until you are actually in them. Calm seen from a distance tells you little. Expect the waves once you push off.

The source

"The sea is calm as long as you stand on the shore." This Russian proverb is recorded in Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Straightness — Cunning" («Прямота — Лукавство»). Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

"Тихо море, поколе на берегу стоишь."

Original Russian, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Straightness — Cunning" («Прямота — Лукавство»). 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 is calm as long as you stand on the shore." mean?

Things look peaceful until you are actually in them. Calm seen from a distance tells you little. Expect the waves once you push off.

Who said "The sea is calm as long as you stand on the shore."?

Russian proverb. Source: Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Straightness — Cunning" («Прямота — Лукавство»).

What is the original Russian?

Тихо море, поколе на берегу стоишь. Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

Is "The sea is calm as long as you stand on the shore." on a shirt?

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

"The sea is calm as long as you stand on the shore." (Russian proverb, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Straightness — Cunning" («Прямота — Лукавство»), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/the-sea-is-calm-as-long-as-you