Isak Dinesen is the pen name of Danish author Karen Blixen, best known for her 1937 memoir “Out of Africa,” a recounting of her years in Kenya that was later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film. This quote comes from her short story “The Deluge at Norderney,” part of her 1934 collection “Seven Gothic Tales,” which earned her international literary acclaim. In this line, Dinesen illuminates the healing power of physical and emotional release. Whether through effort (sweat), emotion (tears), or nature (the sea), she suggests salt water has the ability to cleanse, restore, and renew. The message is both poetic and practical — a reminder that physical exertion, emotional release, and/or simply immersing ourselves in the natural world can bring comfort and clarity to our lives.
