“Light though thou be, thou leapest out of darkness; but I am darkness leaping out of light, leaping out of thee!” — 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
The lightning flashes through my skull; mine eyeballs ache and ache; my whole beaten brain seems as beheaded, and rolling on some… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Because no man can ever feel his own identity aright except his eyes be closed; as if darkness were indeed the proper… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The food of thy soul is light and space; feed it then on light and space. But the food of thy body… — 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
So, when on one side you hoist in Locke's head, you go over that way; but now, on the other side, hoist… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
He, who, in view of its inconsistencies, says of human nature the same that, in view of its contrasts, is said of… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
There is no figure more common in scripture, and none more beautiful, than that by which Christ is likened unto light. Incomprehensible… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
A gentleman of Typee can bring up a numerous family of children and give them all a highly respectable cannibal education, with… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
It is often to be observed, that as in digging for precious metals in the mines, much earthly rubbish has first to… — 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
