The worst of our evils we blindly inflict upon ourselves; our officers cannot remove them, even if they would.
HERMAN MELVILLEThe worst of our evils we blindly inflict upon ourselves; our officers cannot remove them, even if they would.
HERMAN MELVILLEGenius, all over the world, stands hand in hand, and one shock of recognition runs the whole circle round.
HERMAN MELVILLEWhat plays the mischief with the truth is that men will insist upon the universal application of a temporary feeling or opinion.
HERMAN MELVILLEYou cannot hide the soul.
HERMAN MELVILLEHonor lies in the mane of a horse.
HERMAN MELVILLEReal strength never impairs beauty or harmony, but it often bestows it, and in everything imposingly beautiful, strength has much to do with the magic.
HERMAN MELVILLEA book in a man’s brain is better off than a book bound in calf – at any rate it is safer from criticism.
HERMAN MELVILLEFailure is the test of greatness.
HERMAN MELVILLEThe Past is the textbook of tyrants; the Future the Bible of the Free. Those who are solely governed by the Past stand like Lot’s wife, crystallized in the act of looking backward, and forever incapable of looking before.
HERMAN MELVILLENature is nobody’s ally.
HERMAN MELVILLEBenevolent desires, after passing a certain point, can not undertake their own fulfillment without incurring the risk of evils beyond those sought to be remedied.
HERMAN MELVILLEWhat is an atheist, but one who does not, or will not, see in the universe a ruling principle of love; and what a misanthrope, but one who does not, or will not, see in man a ruling principle of kindness?
HERMAN MELVILLEDream tonight of peacock tails, Diamond fields and spouter whales. Ills are many, blessing few, But dreams tonight will shelter you.
HERMAN MELVILLEThe poor man wants many things; the covetous man, all.
HERMAN MELVILLEI know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing.
HERMAN MELVILLEOnly the man who says no is free
HERMAN MELVILLE