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There is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself.

Herman Melville

What 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 MELVILLE

Atheist Communication Kindness Men Principle Rule Thinking
Thinking is, or ought to be, a coolness and a calmness; and our poor hearts throb, and our poor brains beat too much for that.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Brain Calm Cool Heart Ourselves Thinking
Failure is the test of greatness.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Failure Greatness One Liner
I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Come Known Laughter Myself Willing
There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness is the true method.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Care Enterprise Method Order True
Tis no dishonor when he who would dishonor you, only dishonors himself.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Dishonor Himself Respect
What plays the mischief with the truth is that men will insist upon the universal application of a temporary feeling or opinion.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Application Feeling Man Opinion Play Truth Universal
Benevolent 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 MELVILLE

Beyond Desire Event Fulfill Point Remedy
There is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Contrast Existence Quality World
Man is a money-making animal, which propensity too often interferes with his benevolence.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Animal Interfere Man Money
Heaven have mercy on us all – Presbyterians and Pagans alike – for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Heaven Mercy Need Repair Sadness
To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Book Produce Theme
Old age is always wakeful; as if, the longer linked with life, the less man has to do with aught that looks like death.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Age Death Life Man Old Wake Up
A book in a man’s brain is better off than a book bound in calf – at any rate it is safer from criticism.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Book Brain Criticism Man Rate Safety
There is nothing so slipperily alluring as sadness; we become sad in the first place by having nothing stirring to do; we continue in it, because we have found a snug sofa at last.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Charming Comfortable Empty Sadness Unknown
When among wild beasts, if they menace you, be a wild beast.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Hard Time Inspirational Monster Trouble Wild Yourself

There is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself.

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There is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself.

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Popular Authors

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