"The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore."
— Vincent van Gogh
The Fishermen Know That The Sea
The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.
About this quote
From a letter written to Theo on 16 May 1882, from The Hague, during a period when van Gogh was determined to pursue Sien Hoornik — a relationship his entire circle, including Theo and his cousin Anton Mauve, opposed. He used the fishermen's stoicism as an analogy for his own willingness to risk social and financial ruin rather than play it safe. The complete passage continues: "They leave that wisdom to those to whom it appeals."
Source
Letter to Theo van Gogh, October 1882
