I don't know but a book in a man's brain is better off than a book bound in calf--at any rate it… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The world is forever babbling of originality; but there never yet was an original man, in the sense intended by the world;… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
That author who draws a character, even though to common view incongruous in its parts, as the flying-squirrel, and, at differentperiods, as… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
As in digging for precious metals in the mines, much earthy rubbish has first to be troublesomely handled and thrown out; so,… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
It is well known, that the best productions of the best human intellects, are generally regarded by those intellects as mere immature… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
It is better to fail in originality, than to succeed in imitation. He who has never failed somewhere, that man can not… — 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 Image
“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 Image
“(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 Image
“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 Image
“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 Image
“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 Image
“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 Image
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 Image
“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 Image
