To be a born American citizen seems a guarantee against pauperism; and this, perhaps, springs from the virtue of a vote. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
In this world, shipmates, sin that pays its way can travel freely, and without passport; whereas Virtue, if a pauper, is stopped… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Ah! the best righteousness of our man-of-war world seems but an unrealized ideal, after all; and those maxims which, in the hope… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Personal prudence, even when dictated by quite other than selfish considerations, surely is no special virtue in a military man; while an… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The grand principles of virtue and honor, however they may be distorted by arbitrary codes, are the same the world over: and… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Civilization does not engross all the virtues of humanity: she has not even her full share of them. They flourish in greater… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
There was about all the Romans a heroic tone peculiar to ancient life. Their virtues were great and noble, and these virtues… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
It does seem to me, that herein we see the rare virtue of a strong individual vitality, and the rare virtue of… — 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
