“Comparing the humped herds of whales with the humped herds of buffalo, which, not forty years ago, overspread by tens of thousands… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale... from hell's heart I stab at thee. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
It is upon record, that three centuries ago the tongue of the Right Whale was esteemed a great delicacy in France, and… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“Aye, aye, it must be so. I've oversailed him. How, got the start? Aye, he's chasing ME now; not I, HIM--that's bad” — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Dream tonight of peacock tails, Diamond fields and spouter whales. Ills are many, blessing few, But dreams tonight will shelter you. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
It is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realise the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The fact is, that among his hunters at least, the whale would by all hands be considered a noble dish, were there… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
It does seem to me, that herein we see the rare virtue of a strong individual vitality, and the rare virtue of… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“Now the various species of whales need some sort of popular comprehensive classification, if only an easy outline one for the present,… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
And, as for me, if, by any possibility, there be any as yet undiscovered prime thing in me; if I shall ever… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“though the only spout in sight was that of a Fin-Back, belonging to the species of uncapturable whales, because of its incredible… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
All men live enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“In life, the visible surface of the Sperm Whale is not the least among the many marvels he presents. Almost invariably it… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“and man, though idiotic, and knowing not what he does, yet full of the sweet things of love and gratitude.” — Herman Melville Copy Share
“But were the coming narrative to reveal in any instance, the complete abasement of poor Starbuck's fortitude, scarce might I have the heart to… — Herman Melville Copy Share
“(On Ralph Waldo Emerson)I love all men who dive. Any fish can swim near the surface, but it takes a great whale to go… — Herman Melville Copy Share
“So seemed it to me, as I stood at her helm, and for long hours silently guided the way of this fire-ship on the… — Herman Melville Copy Share
“Consider the subtleness of the sea; how its most dreaded creatures glide under water, unapparent for the most part, and treacherously hidden beneath the… — Herman Melville Copy Share
“Is it that by its indefiniteness it shadows forth the heartless voids and immensities of the universe, and thus stabs us from behind with… — Herman Melville Copy Share
“Now, as I before hinted, I have no objection to any person's religion, be it what it may, so long as that person does… — Herman Melville Copy Share
Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence in the children of any other land. — Herman Melville Copy Share
“Yet this is life. For hardly have we mortals by long toilings extracted from this world's vast bulk its small but valuable sperm; and… — Herman Melville Copy Share
I never fancied broiling fowls; - though once broiled, judiciously buttered, and judgmatically salted and peppered, there is no one who will speak more… — Herman Melville Copy Share
War should be carried on like a monsoon; one changeless determination of every particle towards the one unalterable aim. — Herman Melville Copy Share
