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
Books, gentlemen, are a species of men, and introduced to them you circulate in the "very best society" that this world can… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
There is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
In what rapt ether sails the world, of which the weariest will never weary? — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The world is forever babbling of originality; but there never yet was an original man, in the sense intended by the world;… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Men there are, who having quite done with the world, all its merely worldly contents are become so far indifferent, that they… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
The pulpit is ever this earth's foremost part; all the rest comes in its rear; the pulpit leads the world. From thence… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Where lies the final harbor, whence we unmoor no more? In what rapt ether sails the world, of which the weariest will… — 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
In the operative opinion of the world, he who is already fully provided with what is necessary for him, that man shall… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Some years ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Yea, foolish mortals, Noah's flood is not yet subsided; two thirds of the fair world it yet covers. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
And the visible world seems formed in love, the invisible spheres were formed in fright. — 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
Were civilization itself to be estimated by some of its results, it would seem perhaps better for what we call the barbarous… — 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
Is it possible, after all, that spite of bricks and shaven faces, this world we live in is brimmed with wonders, and… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
And, as for me, if, by any possibility, there be any as yet undiscovered prime thing in me; if I shall ever… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
There is all of the difference in the world between paying and being paid. — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
Woe to him whom this world charms from Gospel duty. Woe to him who seeks to pour oil upon the waters when… — 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
True Work is the necessity of poor humanity's earthly condition. The dignity is in leisure. Besides, 99 hundredths of all the work… — 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… — Herman Melville Copy Share Image
...in certain moods, no man can weigh this world without throwing in something, somehow like Original Sin, to strike the uneven balance. — 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
