We should, if possible, prove a teacher to posterity, instead of being the pupil of by-gone generations. More shall come after us… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
There are some persons in this world, who, unable to give better proof of being wise, take a strange delight in showing… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
We Americans are the peculiar, chosen people - the Israel of our time; we bear the ark of the liberties of the… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Men there are, who having quite done with the world, all its merely worldly contents are become so far indifferent, that they… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Ah, happiness courts the light so we deem the world is gay. But misery hides aloof so we deem that misery there… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
You cannot spill a drop of American blood without spilling the blood of the whole world… We are not a nation, so… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Ah! the best righteousness of our man-of-war world seems but an unrealized ideal, after all; and those maxims which, in the hope… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
We may have civilized bodies and yet barbarous souls. We are blind to the real sights of this world; deaf to its… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Books, gentlemen, are a species of men, and introduced to them you circulate in the "very best society" that this world can… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Is it possible, after all, that spite of bricks and shaven faces, this world we live in is brimmed with wonders, and… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
In our man-of-war world, Life comes in at one gangway and Death goes overboard at the other. Under the man-of-war scourge, cursesmix… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
All Profound things, and emotions of things are preceded and attended by Silence...Silence is the general consecration of the Universe. Silence is… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
In this world of lies, Truth is forced to fly like a scared white doe in the woodlands; and only by cunning… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The earliest instinct of the child, and the ripest experience of age, unite in affirming simplicity to be the truest and profoundest… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
As a man-of-war that sails through the sea, so this earth that sails through the air. We mortals are all on board… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
I could...see in Emerson...that had he lived in those days when the world was made, he might have offered some valuable suggestions. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
In this world, shipmates, sin that pays its way can travel freely, and without passport; whereas Virtue, if a pauper, is stopped… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Were this world an endless pain, and by sailing eastward we could forever reach new distances, and discover sights more sweet and… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The pulpit is ever this earth's foremost part; all the rest comes in its rear; the pulpit leads the world. From thence… — 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
