a great ship (asks|craves) deep waters
1
used to emphasize that individuals or things with great potential require challenging environments or situations to fully realize their capabilities
The proverb "a great ship asks deep waters" appears to be a traditional saying, but its exact origin is not well-documented. It suggests that those who are capable of achieving great things must be tested or placed in environments that allow them to grow, learn, and prove their worth. The saying reflects the idea that greatness is often refined and revealed through challenges.
- The Olympic athlete understood that a great ship asks deep waters and pushed herself to train in the most difficult conditions to improve her performance.