--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Start her, now; give 'em the long and…" description: "\"Start her, now; give 'em the long and strong stroke, Tashtego. Start her, Tash, my boy-start her, all; but keep cool, keep cool-cucumbers is the word-e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dd/herman-melville-162_boys_start-her-now-give-em-the-long-and-stron_2175478.jpg" --- # Start her, now; give 'em the long and strong stroke… ![“Start her, now; give 'em the long and strong stroke, Tashtego. Start her, Tash, my boy-start her, all; but keep cool, keep cool-cucumbers is the word-easy, easy-only start her like grim death and grinning devils, and raise the buried dead perpendicular out of their graves, boys-that's all. Start…” quote by Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dd/herman-melville-162_boys_start-her-now-give-em-the-long-and-stron_2175478.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dd/herman-melville-162_boys_start-her-now-give-em-the-long-and-stron_2175478.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dd/herman-melville-162_boys_start-her-now-give-em-the-long-and-stron_2175478.jpg) > “Start her, now; give 'em the long and strong stroke, Tashtego. Start her, Tash, my boy-start her, all; but keep cool, keep cool-cucumbers is the word-easy, easy-only start her like grim death and grinning devils, and raise the buried dead perpendicular out of their graves, boys-that's all. Start her!” [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Act with bold, decisive energy, but stay calm and strategic; balance vigor with composure. **In simple terms:** Bold action with calm focus. Key Takeaway Act decisively while maintaining composure. Themes courage strategy balance Mood intense determined Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - team leadership - sports - project launches - creative endeavors Key Concepts determination self‑control initiative Questions to Reflect On - When is it better to pause before acting? - How can you keep cool under pressure? A Different Perspective Over‑aggression can lead to reckless decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Devil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/devil/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Sailor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sailor/) [Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea/) ## Related quotes > [Coffee falls into the stomach... ideas begin to move, things remembered arrive at full gallop... the shafts of wit start up like sharp-shooters, similes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/coffee-falls-into-the-stomach-ideas-begin-to-move-things-remembered/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Start up like a player and end up like a Legend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/start-up-like-a-player-and-end-up-like-a-legend/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [“What are you afraid of, James? That you could actually start to like me?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susann-julieva/what-are-you-afraid-of-james-that-you-could-actually-start-to-like-me/) Susann Julieva > [Those scenarios you make up in your head when you start to like someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-scenarios-you-make-up-in-your-head-when-you-start-to-like/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When start too like someone they flirt with other girls then I'm just done if u don't want too be mine just say so](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-hood/when-start-too-like-someone-they-flirt-with-other-girls-then-i-m-just/) [Courtney Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-hood/) > [Me, I start with myself, like I always say we are here to take all the bullets, you know? When things are not going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-onana/me-i-start-with-myself-like-i-always-say-we-are-here-to-take-all-the/) [Andre Onana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-onana/) > [Running a start-up is like eating glass. You just start to like the taste of your own blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-parker/running-a-start-up-is-like-eating-glass-you-just-start-to-like-the/) [Sean Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-parker/) > [You never realise how much you like someone , until they start to like someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra/you-never-realise-how-much-you-like-someone-until-they-start-to-like/) [Sandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra/) > [Love: You can't start it like a car, you can't stop it with a gun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/love-you-can-t-start-it-like-a-car-you-can-t-stop-it-with-a-gun/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) > [If I don't start, I'd like to try to win Sixth Man of the Year. And whenever I'm on the court, I'm just going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-barnes/if-i-don-t-start-i-d-like-to-try-to-win-sixth-man-of-the-year-and/) [Matt Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-barnes/) > [The cucumber is bitter? Then throw it out. There are brambles in the path? Then go around. That's all you need to know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/the-cucumber-is-bitter-then-throw-it-out-there-are-brambles-in-the/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [The organic gardener does not think of throwing away the garbage. She knows that she needs the garbage. She is capable of transforming the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/the-organic-gardener-does-not-think-of-throwing-away-the-garbage-she/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [Tis not her coldness, father, That chills my labouring breast; It's that confounded cucumber I've ate and can't digest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-harris-barham/tis-not-her-coldness-father-that-chills-my-labouring-breast-it-s-that/) [Richard Harris Barham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-harris-barham/) > [I had to wear a fat suit to play Mma Ramotswe in 'The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.' She's described as being like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/i-had-to-wear-a-fat-suit-to-play-mma-ramotswe-in-the-no-1-ladies/) [Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/) > [Since his mother died I have seen him steam a cucumber thinking it was zucchini. That's the kind of thing that turns my heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-hempel/since-his-mother-died-i-have-seen-him-steam-a-cucumber-thinking-it/) [Amy Hempel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-hempel/) ## More by Herman Melville > [“and man, though idiotic, and knowing not what he does, yet full of the sweet things of love and gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/and-man-though-idiotic-and-knowing-not-what-he-does-yet-full-of-the/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/but-were-the-coming-narrative-to-reveal-in-any-instance-the-complete/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“(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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/on-ralph-waldo-emerson-i-love-all-men-who-dive-any-fish-can-swim-near/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/so-seemed-it-to-me-as-i-stood-at-her-helm-and-for-long-hours-silently/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“the only real owner of anything is its commander;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/the-only-real-owner-of-anything-is-its-commander/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Consider the subtleness of the sea; how its most dreaded creatures glide under water, unapparent for the most part, and treacherously hidden beneath the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/consider-the-subtleness-of-the-sea-how-its-most-dreaded-creatures/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Is it that by its indefiniteness it shadows forth the heartless voids and immensities of the universe, and thus stabs us from behind with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/is-it-that-by-its-indefiniteness-it-shadows-forth-the-heartless-voids/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/now-as-i-before-hinted-i-have-no-objection-to-any-person-s-religion/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence in the children of any other land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/let-america-first-praise-mediocrity-even-in-her-children-before-she/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Only the man who says no is free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/only-the-man-who-says-no-is-free/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Beneath those stars is a universe of gliding monsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/beneath-those-stars-is-a-universe-of-gliding-monsters/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/yet-this-is-life-for-hardly-have-we-mortals-by-long-toilings/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [I never fancied broiling fowls; - though once broiled, judiciously buttered, and judgmatically salted and peppered, there is no one who will speak more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/i-never-fancied-broiling-fowls-though-once-broiled-judiciously/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [War should be carried on like a monsoon; one changeless determination of every particle towards the one unalterable aim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/war-should-be-carried-on-like-a-monsoon-one-changeless-determination/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Genius is full of trash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/genius-is-full-of-trash/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) [Explore all 1,009 Herman Melville quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## More Boys quotes > [Ye youths and virgins, when your generous blood Has drunk the warmth of fifteen summers, now The loves invite; now to new rapture wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-armstrong/ye-youths-and-virgins-when-your-generous-blood-has-drunk-the-warmth/) [John Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-armstrong/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [Lets face it this world is ruled by girls that why we must away pleases our girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrawesome/lets-face-it-this-world-is-ruled-by-girls-that-why-we-must-away/) MrAwesome > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) > [When it comes to bullying small businesses, Donald Trump is the poster boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/when-it-comes-to-bullying-small-businesses-donald-trump-is-the-poster/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [When other boys dreamt of going to the moon or becoming doctors, I wanted to be a designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-theyskens/when-other-boys-dreamt-of-going-to-the-moon-or-becoming-doctors-i/) [Olivier Theyskens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-theyskens/) > [In the middle of a play, I go crazy and don't realize what I'm doing. I'll snap back to reality and I realize, 'Hey,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-bosworth/in-the-middle-of-a-play-i-go-crazy-and-don-t-realize-what-i-m-doing-i/) [Brian Bosworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-bosworth/) > [If Pete’s (Sampras) child is a girl, my son will like her; if he’s a boy, my son will defeat him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-agassi/if-pete-s-sampras-child-is-a-girl-my-son-will-like-her-if-he-s-a-boy/) [Andre Agassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-agassi/) > [The tie's a multi purpose accessory, y'know, belt, school boy, Rambo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-fielding/the-tie-s-a-multi-purpose-accessory-y-know-belt-school-boy-rambo/) [Noel Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-fielding/) > [The reason I went to an all-boys Catholic school was because they had the best football team. We won the state championship my junior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-rossi/the-reason-i-went-to-an-all-boys-catholic-school-was-because-they-had/) [Theo Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-rossi/) > [Some article called me the most feared man in Silicon Valley. Good Lord! Why? My teenage boys got a kick out of it: 'Dad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/some-article-called-me-the-most-feared-man-in-silicon-valley-good/) [Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/) > [She had been dragged in the most humiliating of all dusts, the dust reserved for older women who let themselves be approached, on amorous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-von-arnim/she-had-been-dragged-in-the-most-humiliating-of-all-dusts-the-dust/) [Elizabeth von Arnim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-von-arnim/) > [As you'll never hear the thing again, my boy, why not throw in a couple of brass bands?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-beecham/as-you-ll-never-hear-the-thing-again-my-boy-why-not-throw-in-a-couple/) [Thomas Beecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-beecham/) > [So I was ugly. I was never fat, really, and I never wore headgear or had zits or anything. But I was ugly. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/so-i-was-ugly-i-was-never-fat-really-and-i-never-wore-headgear-or-had/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) [Browse all 7,168 Boys quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Start her, now; give 'em the long and strong stroke, Tashtego. Start her, Tash, my boy-start her, all; but keep cool, keep cool-cucumbers is the word-easy, easy-only start her like grim death and grinning devils, and raise the buried dead perpendicular out of their graves, boys-that's all. Start her!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Herman Melville" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/start-her-now-give-em-the-long-and-strong-stroke-tashtego-start-her/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Boys" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/start-her-now-give-em-the-long-and-strong-stroke-tashtego-start-her/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dd/herman-melville-162_boys_start-her-now-give-em-the-long-and-stron_2175478.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dd/herman-melville-162_boys_start-her-now-give-em-the-long-and-stron_2175478.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3dd/herman-melville-162_boys_start-her-now-give-em-the-long-and-stron_2175478.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Start her, now; give 'em the long and strong stroke, Tashtego. Start her, Tash, my boy-start her, all; but…” — Herman Melville", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Herman Melville", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Start her, now; give 'em the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/start-her-now-give-em-the-long-and-strong-stroke-tashtego-start-her/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/start-her-now-give-em-the-long-and-strong-stroke-tashtego-start-her/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```