In our own hearts, we mold the whole world's hereafters; and in our own hearts we fashion our own gods. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
When a companion's heart of itself overflows, the best one can do is to do nothing. — 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
Youth is the time when hearts are large, And stirring wars Appeal to the spirit which appeals in turn To the blade… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
To the last, I grapple with thee; From Hell's heart, I stab at thee; For hate's sake, I spit my last breath… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
He who is ready to despair in solitary peril, plucks up a heart in the presence of another. In a plurality of… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The American, who up to the present day, has evinced, in Literature, the largest brain with the largest heart, that man is… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
How feeble is all language to describe the horrors we inflict upon these wretches, whom we mason up in the cells of… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
When beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean’s skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“The reason the mass of men fear God, and at bottom dislike Him, is because they rather distrust His heart, and fancy… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Thinking is, or ought to be, a coolness and a calmness; and our poor hearts throb, and our poor brains beat too… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Thou saw'st the locked lovers when leaping from their flaming ship; heart to heart they sank beneath the exulting wave; true to… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
He piled upon the whale's white hump the sum of all the general rage and hate felt by his whole race from… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
So, cutting the lashing of the waterproof match keg, after many failures Starbuck contrived to ignite the lamp in the lantern; then… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The pleasure of leaving home, care-free, with no concern but to enjoy, has also as a pendant the pleasure of coming back… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
From without, no wonderful effect is wrought within ourselves, unless some interior, responding wonder meets it. That the starry vault shall surcharge… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The reason the mass of men fear God, and at bottom dislike Him, is because they rather distrust His heart, and fancy… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Swerve me? The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails, whereon my soul is grooved to run. Over unsounded… — 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
How it is I know not; but there is no place like a bed for confidential disclosures between friends. Man and wife,… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Twelve o'clock! It is the natural centre, key-stone, and very heart of the day. At that hour, the sun has arrived at… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
If I had been downright honest with myself, I would have seen very plainly in my heart that I did but half… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
For my part I love sleepy fellows, and the more ignorant the better. Damn your wide-awake and knowing chaps. As for sleepiness,… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
But are sailors, frequenters of fiddlers' greens, without vices? No; but less often than with landsmen do their vices, so called, partake… — 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 placid hours well-pleased we dream Of many a brave unbodied scheme. But form to lend, pulsed life create, What unlike things… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The only ugliness is that of the heart, seen through the face. And though beauty be obvious, the only loveliness is invisible. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Truth is ever incoherent, and when the big hearts strike together, the concussion is a little stunning. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Standing navies, as well as standing armies, serve to keep alive the spirit of war even in the meek heart of peace.… — 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
