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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

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
Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Compromise Edge Ragged Truth
If you can get nothing better out of the world, get a good dinner out of it, at least.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Better Food World Yourself
I do not think I have any uncharitable prejudice against the rattlesnake, still, I should not like to be one.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Charity Myself Oneself Prejudice Thinking
A thing may be incredible and still be true; sometimes it is incredible because it is true.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Fact Incredible Reality True
Ladies are like creeds; if you cannot speak well of them, say nothing.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Silence Talk Women Yourself
Aid my disillusionment, my friend!
HERMAN MELVILLE

Friendship Help Illusion One Liner
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
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 MELVILLE

Blood Nation Whole World Yourself
Failure is the test of greatness.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Failure Greatness One Liner
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
Do not presume, well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed, to criticize the poor
HERMAN MELVILLE

Assumption Criticism Home Poor Warm
To know how to grow old is the master work of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters in the great art of living.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Art Greatness Growth Known Life Master Old Wisdom Work
A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.
HERMAN MELVILLE

Choice One Liner Smile Vehicle
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 MELVILLE

Down Draw Land Magic Men Sea Stream Water

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?

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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?

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Popular Authors

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