“flight from tyranny does not of itself insure a safe asylum, far less a happy home.” — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Where does any novelist pick up any character? For the most part, in town, to be sure. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The drama's done. Why then here does any one step forth? — Because one did survive the wreck. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
None but a good man is really a living man, and the more good any man does, the more he really lives.… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
All round and round does the world lie as in a sharp-shooter's ambush, to pick off the beautiful illusions of youth, by… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
It is plain and demonstrable, that much ale is not good for Yankee, and operates differently upon them from what it does… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Whatever has made, or does make, or may make music, should be held sacred as the golden bridle-bit of the Shah of… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
What is an atheist, but one who does not, or will not, see in the universe a ruling principle of love; and… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Lo! ye believers in gods all goodness, and in man all ill, lo you! see the omniscient gods oblivious of suffering man;… — 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 further our civilization advances upon its present lines so much the cheaper sort of thing does "fame" become, especially of the… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The ancients of the ideal description, instead of trying to turn their impracticable chimeras, as does the modern dreamer, into social and… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Is Ahab, Ahab? Is it I, God, or who, that lifts this arm? But if the great sun move not of himself;… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Civilization does not engross all the virtues of humanity: she has not even her full share of them. They flourish in greater… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
I have no objection to any person's religion, be it what it may, so long as that person does not kill or… — 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
“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
