Accounts Quote by Herman Melville
“Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off - then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Moby‑Dick by Herman Melville, 1851
Despair and suicidal thoughts are described in vivid, dark imagery, yet the speaker urges himself to act and escape the gloom.
In simple terms: Dark thoughts lead to a desire for escape.
Key Takeaway
Seek action to counter despair.
Themes
despair
mental health
self‑control
dark humor
literary
Mood
melancholy
ironic
defiant
Type
literary
reflective
advice
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- loneliness
- seasonal depression
- creative block
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
self‑preservation
Questions to Reflect On
- What coping strategies help when feeling hopeless?
- How can humor aid in confronting darkness?
A Different Perspective
The humor may trivialize serious mental health struggles.
