In our man-of-war world, Life comes in at one gangway and Death goes overboard at the other. Under the man-of-war scourge, cursesmix… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
All experience teaches that, whenever there is a great national establishment, employing large numbers of officials, the public must be reconciled to… — 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
I am sorry to say we whites have a sad reputation among many of the Polynesians. The natives of these islands are… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
It is the easiest thing in the world for a man to look as if he had a great secret in him. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Say what some poets will, Nature is not so much her own ever-sweet interpreter, as the mere supplier of that cunning alphabet,… — 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
Ah! the best righteousness of our man-of-war world seems but an unrealized ideal, after all; and those maxims which, in the hope… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
And what is it, thought I, after all! It’s only his outside; a man can be honest in any sort of skin. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
It is not for man to follow the trail of truth too far, since by so doing he entirely loses the directing… — 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
“Passion, and passion in its profoundest, is not a thing demanding a palatial stage whereon to play its part. Down among the… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Man, in the ideal, is so noble and so sparkling, such a grand and glowing creature, that over any ignominious blemish in… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
As with ships, so with men; he who turns his back to his foe gives him an advantage. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
An utterly fearless man is a far more dangerous comrade than a coward. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
It is-or seems to be-a wise sort of thing, to realise that all that happens to a man in this life is… — 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
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
Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver, but less daring. Thus with seamen: he who goes the oftenest round Cape Horn… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Much of a man's character will be found betokened in his backbone. I would rather feel your spine than your skull, whoever… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
There is nothing namable but that some men will, or undertake to, do it for pay. — 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
