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Yet habit – strange thing! what cannot habit accomplish?

Herman Melville

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
I’ll try a pagan friend, thought I, since Christian kindness has proved but hollow courtesy.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Friendship Hallow Myself Religion Shallow
To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Book Produce Theme
No philosophers so thoroughly comprehend us as dogs and horses.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Animal Dog Help Ourselves Philosophy
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
Tis no dishonor when he who would dishonor you, only dishonors himself.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Dishonor Himself Respect
It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Better Failure Limitation Original Success
Do not presume, well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed, to criticize the poor
HERMAN MELVILLE

Assumption Criticism Home Poor Warm
All things that God would have us do are hard for us to do–remember that–and hence, he oftener commands us than endeavours to persuade.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Command Convince God Hard Persuade Remember
For as this appalling ocean surrounds the verdant land, so in the soul of man there lies one insular Tahiti, full of peace and joy, but encompassed by all the horrors of the half known life.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Horror Life Ocean Surround
The 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 MELVILLE

Forever Free Future Government Past Religious Stand
Better be an old maid, a woman with herself as a husband, than the wife of a fool; and Solomon more than hints that all men are fools; and every wise man knows himself to be one.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Better Family Fool Himself Husband Life Maid Man Men Old Partner Stay Woman
A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Choice One Liner Smile Vehicle
for there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men
HERMAN MELVILLE

Earth Enemy Madness Man
Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Better Choice Drink Sleep Sober
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

Gentle Hide Known Mystery Sea Soul Sweet Talk

Yet habit – strange thing! what cannot habit accomplish?

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Yet habit – strange thing! what cannot habit accomplish?

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