Herman Melville quotes - page 2

The drama's done. Why then here does any one step forth? - Because one did survive the wreck. (Herman Melville)
To know how to grow old is the master work of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters in the great art of living.
Herman Melville
Many sensible things banished from high life find an asylum among the mob.
Herman Melville
All Profound things, and emotions of things are preceded and attended by Silence.
Herman Melville
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.
Herman Melville
Stay true to the dreams of thy youth.
Herman Melville
It is hard to be finite upon an infinite subject, and all subjects are infinite.
Herman Melville
Thou hast evoked in me profounder spells than the evoking one, thou face! For me, thou hast uncovered one infinite, dumb, beseeching countenance of mystery, underlying all the surfaces of visible time and space.
Herman Melville
There is one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath.
Herman Melville
I am, as I am; whether hideous, or handsome, depends upon who is made judge.
Herman Melville
You must have plenty of sea-room to tell the truth in. (Herman Melville)
I do not think I have any uncharitable prejudice against the rattlesnake, still, I should not like to be one.
Herman Melville
See how elastic our prejudices grow when once love comes to bend them.
Herman Melville
Nothing so aggravates an earnest person as a passive resistance.
Herman Melville
Genius, all over the world, stands hand in hand, and one shock of recognition runs the whole circle round.
Herman Melville
Truth is ever incoherent, and when the big hearts strike together, the concussion is a little stunning.
Herman Melville
Our souls are like those orphans whose unwedded mothers die in bearing them the secret of our paternity lies in their grave, and we must there to learn it.
Herman Melville
Give not thyself up, then, to fire, lest it invert thee, deaden thee as for the time it did me. There is a wisdom that is woe but there is a woe that is madness.
Herman Melville
It is the easiest thing in the world for a man to look as if he had a great secret in him.
Herman Melville
Zeal is not of necessity religion, neither is it always of the same essence with poetry or patriotism.
Herman Melville
Let us be Christians toward our fellow-whites, as well as philanthropists toward the blacks our fellow-men. In all things, and toward all, we are enjoined to do as we would be done by. (Herman Melville)
But I shall follow the endless, winding way, - the flowing river in the cave of man; careless whither I be led, reckless where I land.
Herman Melville
Top-heavy was the ship as a dinnerless student with all Aristotle in his head.
Herman Melville
Let faith oust fact; let fancy oust memory; I look deep down and do believe.
Herman Melville
We cannibals must help these Christians.
Herman Melville