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
Think not, is my eleventh commandment; and sleep when you can, is my twelfth.
Herman MelvilleHerman Melville 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 MelvilleHerman Melville Ignorance is the parent of fear.
Herman MelvilleHerman 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
Original quotes
From our community writers
Life is a journey through the sea between the Islands of birth and success.
AurthurAurthur There are times when god speaks. You might not hear the words, but you’ll see. You’ll see.
Sonya TeclaiSonya Teclai For in the wild I feel the safest where the thorns of the invisible hand can not prick me.
Raha ArazRaha Araz I tried to write you something uplifting but I could only see grey.
Carmen AmadosCarmen Amados I want to spend the rest of my coffee’s with you.
Jessica PickardJessica Pickard Never again will I give, give myself to those who refuse to see my fire.
TMCTMC You attract the energy you give out to the world.
Stuart PetersonStuart Peterson We are built on a foundation of facades.
Amanda KarchAmanda Karch
Meet the writers
More on forever
He who retreats lives longer.
Michael ScottMichael Scott I’m going to live forever. Geniuses don’t die.
Salvador DaliSalvador Dali What is the point in living forever, if it is not with the woman I love?
Michael ScottMichael Scott Don’t change on me. Don’t extort me unless you intend to do it forever.
Tupac ShakurTupac Shakur Freedom now appeared, to disappear no more forever.
Frederick DouglassFrederick Douglass Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.
Frederick DouglassFrederick Douglass When I say forever I mean it.
Juice WrldJuice Wrld If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face – for ever.
George OrwellGeorge Orwell