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
HERMAN MELVILLE
Herman Melville on forever
Herman Melville95 quotes“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.”
More from Herman Melville
He who has never failed somewhere, that man can not be great.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville Aid my disillusionment, my friend!
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville I do not think I have any uncharitable prejudice against the rattlesnake, still, I should not like to be one.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville What plays the mischief with the truth is that men will insist upon the universal application of a temporary feeling or opinion.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville Silence is the only Voice of our God.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville Beneath those stars is a universe of gliding monsters.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville We cannot live for ourselves alone.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville Genius, all over the world, stands hand in hand, and one shock of recognition runs the whole circle round.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville Friendship at first sight, like love at first sight, is said to be the only truth.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville I cherish the greatest respect towards everybody’s religious obligations, no matter how comical.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville There’s magic in the water that draws all men away form the land, that leads them over hills, down creeks and streams and rivers to the sea.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville Real 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 MelvilleHerman Melville You cannot spill a drop of American blood without spilling the blood of the whole world…. We are not a nation, so much as a world.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville A thing may be incredible and still be true; sometimes it is incredible because it is true.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville The sweetest joys of life grow in the very jaws of its perils.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville It is hard to be finite upon an infinite subject, and all subjects are infinite.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville
Original quotes
From our community writers
Thoughts on a tapestry. Colour or black and white. A brush, a pen, A flash of light. Ideas flowing soon, about to take flight.
Gerard GleesonGerard Gleeson Like deep water, she was silent. His lips tasted of salt. He was both addicting and bitter all at once.
MoomerMoomer Always show kindness and love to others. Your words might be filling the empty places in someone else heart.
Alexander KandovAlexander Kandov And I would lie on your chest for hours and dream about the world in your arms but your thoughts were in another world.
Ani ShahverdyanAni Shahverdyan Your smile and your laughter lit my whole world.
Ranata SuzukiRanata Suzuki Often all we can do is breathe, even that can be hard sometimes.
Julia Kellogg HenryJulia Kellogg Henry I am addicted to your madness drunk on your toxic love. Infect me with your poison, lets make storms rage above.
Laura Natoli-KearneyLaura Natoli-Kearney The more you fail, recover, and improve, the better you are as a person.
Laura CleggLaura Clegg
Meet the writers
More on forever
Who wants to live forever?
Freddie MercuryFreddie Mercury He was going to live forever, or die in the attempt.
Joseph HellerJoseph Heller We cross infinity with every step; we meet eternity in every step.
Rabindranath TagoreRabindranath Tagore Conquests will come and go but Delambre’s work will endure.
Napoleon BonaparteNapoleon Bonaparte Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
Napoleon BonaparteNapoleon Bonaparte God forever working harder than satan.
SZASZA You find ways to adapt. If you’re in it forever, there’s really no choice.
Michelle ObamaMichelle Obama I love what I do, and when I don’t love what I do, I’ll make a change, I can’t be the candy queen forever.
Katy PerryKaty Perry