Of all human events, perhaps, the publication of a first volume of verses is the most insignificant; but though a matter of… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
There are times when even the most potent governor must wink at transgression, in order to preserve the laws inviolate for the… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“Can it be, then, that by that act of physical isolation, he signifies his spiritual withdrawal for the time, from all outward… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“In Saint Stylites, the famous Christian hermit of old times, who built him a lofty stone pillar in the desert and spent… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“The more I consider this mighty tail, the more do I deplore my inability to express it. At times there are gestures… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“The maintenance of secrecy in the matter, the confining all knowledge of it for a time to the place where the homicide… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“But though, to landsmen in general, the native inhabitants of the seas have ever regarded with emotions unspeakably unsocial and repelling; though… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“What a delightful, lazy, languid time we had whilst we were thus gliding along!” — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
But the past is passed; why moralize upon it? Forget it. See, yon bright son has forgotten it all, and the blue… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“At the time I now write of, Father Mapple was in the hardy winter of a healthy old age; that sort of… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“Yes, I have heard something curious on that score sir, how that a dismasted man never entirely loses the feeling of his… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“But I must be content with only one more and a concluding illustration; a remarkable and most significant one, by which you… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Our institutions have a potent digestion, and may in time convert and assimilate to good all elements thrown in, however originally alien. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life when a man takes this whole universe… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“Round the world! There is much in that sound to inspire proud feelings; but whereto does all that circumnavigation conduct? Only through… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Where is there such an one who has not a thousand times been struck with a sort of infidel idea, that whatever… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“I pondered some time without fully comprehending the reason for this. Father Mapple enjoyed such a wide reputation for sincerity and sanctity,… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The Past is dead, and has no resurrection; but the Future is endowed with such a life, that it lives to us… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Let us pray that the great historic tragedy of our time may not have been enacted without instructing our whole beloved country… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
“There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life when a man takes this whole universe… — 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
To anybody who can hold the Present at its worth without being inappreciative of the Past, it may be forgiven, if to… — 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
