--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is generally supposed that they who…" description: "\"It is generally supposed that they who have long been conversant with the ocean can foretell, by certain indications, such as its roar and the notes of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf9/anonymous-1_life_it-is-generally-supposed-that-they-who-h_704666.jpg" --- # It is generally supposed that they who have long been… ![“It is generally supposed that they who have long been conversant with the ocean can foretell, by certain indications, such as its roar and the notes of sea-fowl, when it will change from calm to storm; but probably no such ancient mariner as we dream of exists; they know no more, at least, than…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf9/anonymous-1_life_it-is-generally-supposed-that-they-who-h_704666.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf9/anonymous-1_life_it-is-generally-supposed-that-they-who-h_704666.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf9/anonymous-1_life_it-is-generally-supposed-that-they-who-h_704666.jpg) > “It is generally supposed that they who have long been conversant with the ocean can foretell, by certain indications, such as its roar and the notes of sea-fowl, when it will change from calm to storm; but probably no such ancient mariner as we dream of exists; they know no more, at least, than the older sailors do about thisvoyage of life on which we are all embarked. Nevertheless, we love to hear the sayings of old sailors, andtheir accounts of natural phenomena which totally ignore, and are ignored by, science; and possibly they have not always looked over the gunwale so long in vain.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People mythicize sailors as wise, but real knowledge of the sea is limited like everyone’s. **In simple terms:** Old sailor myths are romanticized. Key Takeaway Seek reliable sources over folklore. Themes myth seafaring knowledge uncertainty Mood curious reflective Type cautionary inspirational When to use this quote - navigation - risk assessment - storytelling - education Key Concepts folklore epistemology human nature Questions to Reflect On - What lessons can we learn from modern marine science? - How do myths shape our perception of risk? 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