“...there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men.” — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Are not half our lives spent in reproaches for foregone actions, of the true nature and consequences of which we were wholly… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
In armies, navies, cities, or families, in nature herself, nothing more relaxes good order than misery. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
While nature thus very early and very abundantly feeds us, she is very late in tutoring us as to the proper methodization… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“In glades they meet skull after skull/Where pine-cones lay--the rusted gun,/Green shoes full of bones, the mouldering coat/And cuddled-up skeleton;/And scores of… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
All Profound things, and emotions of things are preceded and attended by Silence...Silence is the general consecration of the Universe. Silence is… — 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
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
“The sun hides not the ocean, which is the dark side of this earth, and which is two thirds of this earth.… — 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… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“Glimpses do you seem to see of that mortally intolerable truth; that all deep, earnest thinking is but the intrepid effort of… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The pulpit is ever this earth's foremost part; all the rest comes in its rear; the pulpit leads the world. From thence… — 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
