---
title: "22 Ifs Quotes By Herman Melville"
description: "22 Ifs quotes by Herman Melville. Plus more from Herman Melville and more Ifs sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/herman-melville-162_charity_charity-like-poetry-should-be-cultivated_3022486.jpg"
---

> [Charity, like poetry, should be cultivated, if only for its being graceful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/charity-like-poetry-should-be-cultivated-if-only-for-its-being/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/herman-melville-162_charity_charity-like-poetry-should-be-cultivated_3022486.jpg)

> [When among wild beasts, if they menace you, be a wild beast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/when-among-wild-beasts-if-they-menace-you-be-a-wild-beast/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/442/herman-melville-162_aggression_when-among-wild-beasts-if-they-menace-yo_294603.jpg)

> [If not against us, nature is not for us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/if-not-against-us-nature-is-not-for-us/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/daf/herman-melville-162_funny_if-not-against-us-nature-is-not-for-us-2_2293513.jpg)

> [Ladies are like creeds; if you cannot speak well of them, say nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/ladies-are-like-creeds-if-you-cannot-speak-well-of-them-say-nothing/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e5/herman-melville-162_creeds_ladies-are-like-creeds-if-you-cannot-spe_1129499.jpg)

> [If you are poor, avoid wine as a costly luxury; if you are rich, shun it as a fatal indulgence. Stick to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/if-you-are-poor-avoid-wine-as-a-costly-luxury-if-you-are-rich-shun-it/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/748/herman-melville-162_abstinence_if-you-are-poor-avoid-wine-as-a-costly-l_2045131.jpg)

> [The worst of our evils we blindly inflict upon ourselves; our officers cannot remove them, even if they would.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/the-worst-of-our-evils-we-blindly-inflict-upon-ourselves-our-officers/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bc/herman-melville-162_evil_the-worst-of-our-evils-we-blindly-inflic_1850216.jpg)

> [If you begin the day with a laugh, you may, nevertheless, end it with a sob and a sigh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/if-you-begin-the-day-with-a-laugh-you-may-nevertheless-end-it-with-a/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/640/herman-melville-162_ends_if-you-begin-the-day-with-a-laugh-you-ma_1313650.jpg)

> [If Shakespeare has not been equalled, he is sure to be surpassed, and surpassed by an American born now or yet to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/if-shakespeare-has-not-been-equalled-he-is-sure-to-be-surpassed-and/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d29/herman-melville-162_born_if-shakespeare-has-not-been-equalled-he_2804219.jpg)

> [If you can get nothing better out of the world, get a good dinner out of it, at least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/if-you-can-get-nothing-better-out-of-the-world-get-a-good-dinner-out/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1dc/herman-melville-162_better_if-you-can-get-nothing-better-out-of-the_2789421.jpg)

> [If there be any thing a man might well pray against, that thing is the responsive gratification of some of the devoutest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/if-there-be-any-thing-a-man-might-well-pray-against-that-thing-is-the/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ede/herman-melville-162_gratification_if-there-be-any-thing-a-man-might-well-p_2424859.jpg)

> [There are doubts, sir, which, if man have them, it is not man that can solve them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/there-are-doubts-sir-which-if-man-have-them-it-is-not-man-that-can/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96e/herman-melville-162_doubt_there-are-doubts-sir-which-if-man-have-t_2678199.jpg)

> [He who has never failed somewhere, that man can notbe great. Failure is the true test of greatness. And if it be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/he-who-has-never-failed-somewhere-that-man-can-notbe-great-failure-is/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/431/herman-melville-162_can-not_he-who-has-never-failed-somewhere-that-m_1015924.jpg)

> [The food of thy soul is light and space; feed it then on light and space. But the food of thy body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/the-food-of-thy-soul-is-light-and-space-feed-it-then-on-light-and/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af3/herman-melville-162_body_the-food-of-thy-soul-is-light-and-space_3190155.jpg)

> [The entire merit of a man can never be made known; nor the sum of his demerits, if he have them. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/the-entire-merit-of-a-man-can-never-be-made-known-nor-the-sum-of-his/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/320/herman-melville-162_character_the-entire-merit-of-a-man-can-never-be-m_1835750.jpg)

> [If a well-constituted individual refrains from blazoning aught amiss or calamitous in his family, a nation in the like circumstance may without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/if-a-well-constituted-individual-refrains-from-blazoning-aught-amiss/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/803/herman-melville-162_candor_if-a-well-constituted-individual-refrain_2719408.jpg)

> [Let us waive that agitated national topic, as to whether such multitudes of foreign poor should be landed on our American shores;let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/let-us-waive-that-agitated-national-topic-as-to-whether-such/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e6/herman-melville-162_ifs_let-us-waive-that-agitated-national-topi_1271721.jpg)

> [We should, if possible, prove a teacher to posterity, instead of being the pupil of by-gone generations. More shall come after us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/we-should-if-possible-prove-a-teacher-to-posterity-instead-of-being/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/233/herman-melville-162_education_we-should-if-possible-prove-a-teacher-to_277584.jpg)

> [Though essaying but a sportive sail, I was driven from my course by a blast re sistless; and ill-provided, young, and bowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/though-essaying-but-a-sportive-sail-i-was-driven-from-my-course-by-a/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73a/herman-melville-162_blast_though-essaying-but-a-sportive-sail-i-wa_745167.jpg)

> [People think that if a man has undergone any hardship, he should have a reward; but for my part, if I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/people-think-that-if-a-man-has-undergone-any-hardship-he-should-have/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/herman-melville-162_corners_people-think-that-if-a-man-has-undergone_75048.jpg)

> [It is often to be observed, that as in digging for precious metals in the mines, much earthly rubbish has first to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/it-is-often-to-be-observed-that-as-in-digging-for-precious-metals-in/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/592/herman-melville-162_care_it-is-often-to-be-observed-that-as-in-di_2974795.jpg)

> [Aside from higher considerations, charity often operates as a vastly wise and prudent principle-a great safeguard to its possessor. Men have committed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/aside-from-higher-considerations-charity-often-operates-as-a-vastly/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/251/herman-melville-162_charity_aside-from-higher-considerations-charity_628612.jpg)

> [To anybody who can hold the Present at its worth without being inappreciative of the Past, it may be forgiven, if to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/to-anybody-who-can-hold-the-present-at-its-worth-without-being/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95b/herman-melville-162_approach_to-anybody-who-can-hold-the-present-at-i_1673713.jpg)

## Other authors on Ifs

## More by Herman Melville

> [“and man, though idiotic, and knowing not what he does, yet full of the sweet things of love and gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/and-man-though-idiotic-and-knowing-not-what-he-does-yet-full-of-the/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/but-were-the-coming-narrative-to-reveal-in-any-instance-the-complete/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [“(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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/on-ralph-waldo-emerson-i-love-all-men-who-dive-any-fish-can-swim-near/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/so-seemed-it-to-me-as-i-stood-at-her-helm-and-for-long-hours-silently/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [“the only real owner of anything is its commander;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/the-only-real-owner-of-anything-is-its-commander/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [“Consider the subtleness of the sea; how its most dreaded creatures glide under water, unapparent for the most part, and treacherously hidden beneath the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/consider-the-subtleness-of-the-sea-how-its-most-dreaded-creatures/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [“Is it that by its indefiniteness it shadows forth the heartless voids and immensities of the universe, and thus stabs us from behind with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/is-it-that-by-its-indefiniteness-it-shadows-forth-the-heartless-voids/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/now-as-i-before-hinted-i-have-no-objection-to-any-person-s-religion/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence in the children of any other land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/let-america-first-praise-mediocrity-even-in-her-children-before-she/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [Only the man who says no is free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/only-the-man-who-says-no-is-free/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [Beneath those stars is a universe of gliding monsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/beneath-those-stars-is-a-universe-of-gliding-monsters/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/yet-this-is-life-for-hardly-have-we-mortals-by-long-toilings/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [I never fancied broiling fowls; - though once broiled, judiciously buttered, and judgmatically salted and peppered, there is no one who will speak more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/i-never-fancied-broiling-fowls-though-once-broiled-judiciously/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [War should be carried on like a monsoon; one changeless determination of every particle towards the one unalterable aim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/war-should-be-carried-on-like-a-monsoon-one-changeless-determination/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

> [Genius is full of trash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/genius-is-full-of-trash/)

[Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/)

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                        "text": "If there be any thing a man might well pray against, that thing is the responsive gratification of some of the devoutest prayers of his youth.",
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                        "text": "Let us waive that agitated national topic, as to whether such multitudes of foreign poor should be landed on our American shores;let us waive it, with the one only thought, that if they can get here, they have God's right to come.",
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                        "text": "Though essaying but a sportive sail, I was driven from my course by a blast re sistless; and ill-provided, young, and bowed by the brunt of things before my prime, still fly before the gale. ... If after all these fearful fainting trances, the verdict be, the golden haven was not gained; yet in bold quest thereof, better to sink in boundless deeps than float on vulgar shoals; and give me, ye gods, an utter wreck, if wreck I do.",
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                        "text": "People think that if a man has undergone any hardship, he should have a reward; but for my part, if I have done the hardest possible day's work, and then come to sit down in a corner and eat my supper comfortably -why, then I don't think I deserve any reward for my hard day's work -for am I not now at peace? Is not my supper good?",
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                        "text": "It is often to be observed, that as in digging for precious metals in the mines, much earthly rubbish has first to be troublesomely handled and thrown out ; so, in digging in one s soul for the fine gold of genius, much dulness and common-place is first brought to light. Happy would it be, if the man possessed in himself some receptacle for his own rubbish of this sort: but he is like the occupant of a dwelling, whose refuse cannot be clapped into his own cellar, but must be deposited in the street before his own door, for the public functionaries to take care of.",
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                        "text": "Aside from higher considerations, charity often operates as a vastly wise and prudent principle-a great safeguard to its possessor. Men have committed murder for jealousy's sake, and anger's sake, and hatred's sake, and selfishness' sake, and spiritual pride's sake; but no man that ever I heard of, ever committed a diabolical murder for sweet charity's sake. Mere self-interest, then, if no better motive can be enlisted, should, especially with high-tempered men, prompt all beings to charity and philanthropy.",
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                        "text": "To anybody who can hold the Present at its worth without being inappreciative of the Past, it may be forgiven, if to such an one the solitary old hulk at Portsmouth, Nelson's Victory, seems to float there, not alone as the decaying monument of a fame incorruptible, but also as a poetic approach, softened by its picturesqueness, to the Monitors and yet mightier hulls of the European ironclads.",
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