Yea, foolish mortals, Noah's flood is not yet subsided; two thirds of the fair world it yet covers. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Nobody is so heartily despised as a pusillanimous, lazy, good-for-nothing, land-lubber; a sailor has no bowels of compassion for him. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“Call me Ishmael. Some years ago--never mind how long precisely--having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
At last the anchor was up, the sails were set, and off we glided. It was a sharp, cold Christmas; and as… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
No mercy, no power but its own controls it. Panting and snorting like a mad battle steed that has lost its rider,… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
It may seem strange that of all men sailors should be tinkering at their last wills and testaments, but there are no… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Soldier or sailor, the fighting man is but a fiend; and the staff and body-guard of the Devil musters many a baton. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The sailor is frankness, the landsman is finesse. Life is not a game with the sailor, demanding the long head — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The sailor is frankness, the landsman is finesse. Life is not a game with the sailor, demanding the long head--no intricate game… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Start her, now; give 'em the long and strong stroke, Tashtego. Start her, Tash, my boy-start her, all; but keep cool, keep… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
However baby man may brag of his science and skill, and however much, in a flattering future, that science and skill may… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
But are sailors, frequenters of fiddlers' greens, without vices? No; but less often than with landsmen do their vices, so called, partake… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Let America add Mexico to Texas, and pile Cuba upon Canada; let the English overswarm all India, and hang out their blazing… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“and yet a child’s utter innocence is but its blank ignorance, and the innocence more or less wanes as intelligence waxes.” — 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
