--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Though essaying but a sportive sail, I…" description: "\"Though essaying but a sportive sail, I was driven from my course by a blast re sistless; and ill-provided, young, and bowed by the brunt of things befo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73a/herman-melville-162_blast_though-essaying-but-a-sportive-sail-i-wa_745167.jpg" --- # Though essaying but a sportive sail, I was driven from my… ![“Though essaying but a sportive sail, I was driven from my course by a blast re sistless; and ill-provided, young, and bowed by the brunt of things before my prime, still fly before the gale. ... If after all these fearful fainting trances, the verdict be, the golden haven was not gained; yet in…” quote by Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73a/herman-melville-162_blast_though-essaying-but-a-sportive-sail-i-wa_745167.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73a/herman-melville-162_blast_though-essaying-but-a-sportive-sail-i-wa_745167.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73a/herman-melville-162_blast_though-essaying-but-a-sportive-sail-i-wa_745167.jpg) > “Though essaying but a sportive sail, I was driven from my course by a blast re sistless; and ill-provided, young, and bowed by the brunt of things before my prime, still fly before the gale. ... If after all these fearful fainting trances, the verdict be, the golden haven was not gained; yet in bold quest thereof, better to sink in boundless deeps than float on vulgar shoals; and give me, ye gods, an utter wreck, if wreck I do.” [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. The speaker describes a reckless, daring pursuit that may lead to ruin, preferring bold adventure over safe mediocrity. **In simple terms:** Bold adventure is better than safe mediocrity. Key Takeaway Choose daring over safety. Themes adventure risk ambition existential literature Mood defiant reflective melancholic Type literary philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - seafaring - career risk - creative projects - personal growth - entrepreneurship Key Concepts existentialism heroic quest human folly Questions to Reflect On - Do you value the thrill of risk over stability? - What costs are you willing to pay for greatness? A Different Perspective The pursuit may ignore practical limits, leading to unnecessary disaster. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blast/) [Boundless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boundless/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Driven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driven/) [Fainting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fainting/) [Fearful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fearful/) [Floats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/floats/) [Gale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gale/) [Gale Fearful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gale-fearful-5808972/) [Give me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/give-me/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Golden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden/) [Havens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/havens/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Ill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ill/) [Prime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prime/) [Quests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quests/) [Sail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sail/) [Sail Driven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sail-driven-5808970/) [Sportive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sportive/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Trance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trance/) [Verdict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/verdict/) [Vulgar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vulgar/) [Wreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wreck/) [Wreck Wreck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wreck-wreck-5808971/) [Wrecks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrecks/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/) ## Related quotes > [The drama's done. Why then here does any one step forth? — Because one did survive the wreck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/the-drama-s-done-why-then-here-does-any-one-step-forth-because-one/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks, Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass; I, that am rudely stamped, and want love's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/but-i-that-am-not-shaped-for-sportive-tricks-nor-made-to-court-an-2/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Two devils rose from the water, and flew off through the air, crying, 'Oh, oh, oh!' and turning one over another, in sportive mockery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/two-devils-rose-from-the-water-and-flew-off-through-the-air-crying-oh/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Statesmen are not only liable to give an account of what they say or do in public, but there is a busy inquiry made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/statesmen-are-not-only-liable-to-give-an-account-of-what-they-say-or/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The sportive, knightly battle awakens the best human characteristics. It doesn't separate, but unites the combatants in understanding and respect. He also helps to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-sportive-knightly-battle-awakens-the-best-human-characteristics/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [ I've never heard anything Wynton \[Marsalis\] played sound like it meant anything at all. Wynton has no voice and no presence. His music sounds… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-jarrett/i-ve-never-heard-anything-wynton-marsalis-played-sound-like-it-meant/) [Keith Jarrett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-jarrett/) > [Confined to common life thy numbers flow, And neither soar too high nor sink too low; There strength and ease in graceful union meet,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aulus-persius-flaccus/confined-to-common-life-thy-numbers-flow-and-neither-soar-too-high/) [Aulus Persius Flaccus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aulus-persius-flaccus/) > [Architecture might be more sportive and varied if every man built his own house, but it would not be the art and science that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-perkins-gilman/architecture-might-be-more-sportive-and-varied-if-every-man-built-his/) [Charlotte Perkins Gilman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-perkins-gilman/) > [But I, that am not shaped for sportive tricks, Nor made to court an amorous looking-glass; I, that am rudely stamped, and want love's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/but-i-that-am-not-shaped-for-sportive-tricks-nor-made-to-court-an/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“The commencement of God’s emanation stars from the physical sheath. Life-power of the emanated God from the body undergoes transformations in His sportive forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-jibankrishna-or-diamond/the-commencement-of-god-s-emanation-stars-from-the-physical-sheath/) [Sri Jibankrishna or Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-jibankrishna-or-diamond/) > [Large flocks of butterflies, all kinds of happy insects, seem to be in a perfect fever of joy and sportive gladness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/large-flocks-of-butterflies-all-kinds-of-happy-insects-seem-to-be-in/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Sportive fortunes get built day after day, week after week through a healthy lifestyle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-zanetti/sportive-fortunes-get-built-day-after-day-week-after-week-through-a/) [Javier Zanetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-zanetti/) > [If you can but give to the fainting soul at your door a cup of water from the wells of truth, it shall flash…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moncure-d-conway/if-you-can-but-give-to-the-fainting-soul-at-your-door-a-cup-of-water/) [Moncure D. Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moncure-d-conway/) > [We speak much of the duty of making others happy. No day should pass, we say, on which we do not put a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-miller/we-speak-much-of-the-duty-of-making-others-happy-no-day-should-pass/) [J.R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-miller/) > [“The floor scooped me up where I stood, and I blinked as it hit me”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-beth-bloom/the-floor-scooped-me-up-where-i-stood-and-i-blinked-as-it-hit-me/) [M. Beth Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-beth-bloom/) ## 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 Blast quotes > [Singing is a f\*\*\*ing blast. When it’s really good, it’s as good as the best sex. I get nipple erections all the time on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-osborne/singing-is-a-f-ing-blast-when-it-s-really-good-it-s-as-good-as-the/) [Joan Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-osborne/) > ['Bengal Tiger' is huge film for me, and I had a blast working with both Ravi Teja and Tamannaah.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raashi-khanna/bengal-tiger-is-huge-film-for-me-and-i-had-a-blast-working-with-both/) [Raashi Khanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raashi-khanna/) > [CGI has fully ruined car crashes. Because how can you be impressed with them now? When you watch them in the '70s, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-tarantino/cgi-has-fully-ruined-car-crashes-because-how-can-you-be-impressed/) [Quentin Tarantino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-tarantino/) > [You can say that a small attack is one in which relatively few people die, but the minute you say that, you can sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karan-mahajan/you-can-say-that-a-small-attack-is-one-in-which-relatively-few-people/) [Karan Mahajan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karan-mahajan/) > [He must be independent and brave, and sure of himself and of the importance of his work, because if he isn't he will never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-sherwood/he-must-be-independent-and-brave-and-sure-of-himself-and-of-the/) [Robert E. Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-sherwood/) > [I think it's funny. There was a time when men were afraid that somebody would reveal some secret of theirs that was unknown to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/i-think-it-s-funny-there-was-a-time-when-men-were-afraid-that/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [I could easily blast so much keef night and day I become a bouhali; a real-gone crazy, a holy untouchable madman unto whom everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brion-gysin/i-could-easily-blast-so-much-keef-night-and-day-i-become-a-bouhali-a/) [Brion Gysin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brion-gysin/) > [I usually write in my underwear, with a space heater running full blast, and three dogs sleeping at me feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-evison/i-usually-write-in-my-underwear-with-a-space-heater-running-full/) [Jonathan Evison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-evison/) > [Capricious, wanton, bold, and brutal Lust Is meanly selfish; when resisted, cruel; And, like the blast of Pestilential Winds, Taints the sweet bloom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/capricious-wanton-bold-and-brutal-lust-is-meanly-selfish-when/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [I wanted to deconstruct the puppet show. I wanted to turn it inside out and do stuff that you're not supposed to do. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-white/i-wanted-to-deconstruct-the-puppet-show-i-wanted-to-turn-it-inside/) [Wayne White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-white/) > [The scent organ was playing a delightfully refreshing Herbal Capriccio - rippling arpeggios of thyme and lavender, of rosemary, basil, myrtle, tarragon; a series…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/the-scent-organ-was-playing-a-delightfully-refreshing-herbal/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Without challenges, the human body will soften. We thrive when we push our boundaries, reach goals, and blast personal records. We perform better, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/without-challenges-the-human-body-will-soften-we-thrive-when-we-push/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [If you allow one single germ, one single seed of slavery to remain in the soil of America... that germ will spring up, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernestine-rose/if-you-allow-one-single-germ-one-single-seed-of-slavery-to-remain-in/) [Ernestine Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernestine-rose/) > [Whither away, Bluebird, Whither away? The blast is chill, yet in the upper sky Thou still canst find the color of thy wing, The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-clarence-stedman/whither-away-bluebird-whither-away-the-blast-is-chill-yet-in-the/) [Edmund Clarence Stedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-clarence-stedman/) > [With this blistering salvo of poetic gutshots Lawson has proven himself Bizarro’s true bard, its mad laureate. Switching from dark whimsy to retina-blast shock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-robert-johnson/with-this-blistering-salvo-of-poetic-gutshots-lawson-has-proven/) [Jeremy Robert Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-robert-johnson/) [Browse all 437 Blast quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blast/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Though essaying but a sportive sail, I was driven from my course by a blast re sistless; and ill-provided, young, and bowed by the brunt of things before my prime, still fly before the gale. ... 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