You can't tell a good pilot on a calm sea.

What it means

Easy conditions hide the difference between skill and luck. Storms reveal who can really steer. Welcome the hard weather that proves you.

The source

"You can't tell a good pilot on a calm sea." This Danish proverb is recorded in Bohn, A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs (1857), Danish Proverbs. Translated from the original Danish by Spartan Surfers.

"God Styrmand kiendes ei naar Havet er stille og Veiret til Villie."

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 "You can't tell a good pilot on a calm sea." mean?

Easy conditions hide the difference between skill and luck. Storms reveal who can really steer. Welcome the hard weather that proves you.

Who said "You can't tell a good pilot on a calm sea."?

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

What is the original Danish?

God Styrmand kiendes ei naar Havet er stille og Veiret til Villie. Translated from the original Danish by Spartan Surfers.

Is "You can't tell a good pilot on a calm sea." on a shirt?

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

"You can't tell a good pilot on a calm sea." (Danish proverb, Bohn, A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs (1857), Danish Proverbs, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/you-cant-tell-a-good-pilot-on-a