Nearly all literature, in one sense, is made up of guide-books. Old ones tell us the ways our fathers went, through the… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Both the ancestry and posterity of Grief go further than the ancestry and posterity of Joy. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
We should, if possible, prove a teacher to posterity, instead of being the pupil of by-gone generations. More shall come after us… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The ancients of the ideal description, instead of trying to turn their impracticable chimeras, as does the modern dreamer, into social and… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Think of it. To go down to posterity as a 'man who lived among the cannibals.' — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
For small erections may be finished by their first architects; grand ones, true ones, ever leave the copestone to posterity. God keep… — 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
