“Is it that by its indefiniteness it shadows forth the heartless voids and immensities of the universe, and thus stabs us from… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
All deep, earnest thinking is but the intrepid effort of the soul to keep the open independence of her sea, while the… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
As a man-of-war that sails through the sea, so this earth that sails through the air. We mortals are all on board… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“Thus mysterious divine Pacific zones the world's whole bulk about; makes all coasts one Bay to it; seems heart-beating heart of earth.” — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“What could be more full of meaning?—for the pulpit is ever this earth's foremost part; all the rest comes in its rear;… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Of all nature's animated kingdoms, fish are the most unchristian, inhospitable, heartless, and cold-blooded of creatures. — 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
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
“But the thing which in eminent instances signalizes so exceptional a nature is this: Though the man's even temper and discreet bearing… — 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
Nature has not implanted any power in man that was not meant to be exercised at times, though too often our powers… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“So have I seen Passion and Vanity stamping the living magnanimous earth, but the earth did not alter her tides and her… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Who in the rainbow can draw the line where the violet tint ends and the orange tint begins? — 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
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
“If reason be judge, no writer has produced such inconsistent characters as nature herself has. It must call for no small sagacity… — 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
We incline to think that God cannot explain His own secrets and that He would like a little information upon certain points… — 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
“Glimpses do ye seem to see of that mortally intolerable truth; that all deep, earnest thinking is but the intrepid effort of… — 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
Praise when merited is not a boon: yet to a generous nature, is it pleasant to utter it. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Climate of Egypt in winter is the reign of spring upon earth, & summer in the air, and tranquility in the heat. — 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
