“oaths and anchors equally will drag: naught else abides on fickle earth but unkept promises of joy.” — 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
“...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
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
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
“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
“I somehow cling to the strange fancy, that, in all men hiddenly reside certain wondrous, occult properties - as in some plants… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“To-morrow, in the natural sun, the skies will be bright; those who glared like devils in the forking flames, the morn will… — 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
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
“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
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
“and man, though idiotic, and knowing not what he does, yet full of the sweet things of love and gratitude.” — Herman Melville Copy Share
“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
“(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
“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
“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
“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
“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
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
“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
I never fancied broiling fowls; - though once broiled, judiciously buttered, and judgmatically salted and peppered, there is no one who will speak more… — Herman Melville Copy Share
War should be carried on like a monsoon; one changeless determination of every particle towards the one unalterable aim. — Herman Melville Copy Share
