Jules Verne

 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Captain Nemo is replying to a question from the narrator: "You like the sea, Captain?"

"Yes, I love it! The seas is everything. It covers sever-tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy, it is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides. The sea is only the embodiment of a supernatural and wonderful existence, It is nothing but love and emotions; it is the 'Living Infinite,' as one of your poets has said. In fact, professor, Nature manifests herself in it by her three kingdoms, mineral, vegetable and animal. The Seas is the vast reservoir of Nature. The globe began supreme tranquility. The seas does not belong to despots. Upon its surface men can still exercise unjust laws, fight, tear one another to pieces and be carried away with terrestrial horrors. But at thirty feet be
low its level, their reign ceases, their influence is quenched, and their power disappears. Ah! sir, live --- live in the bosom of the waters! There only is independence! There I recognize no masters! There I am free!"

(Sterling Publishing, Inc., edition publish in 2006, page 59)

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