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 MELVILLEThinking 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 MELVILLEThere is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself.
HERMAN MELVILLEAs for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.
HERMAN MELVILLEThou hast evoked in me profounder spells than the evoking one, thou face! For me, thou hast uncovered one infinite, dumb, beseeching countenance of mystery, underlying all the surfaces of visible time and space.
HERMAN MELVILLEHeaven have mercy on us all – Presbyterians and Pagans alike – for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending.
HERMAN MELVILLEWhat plays the mischief with the truth is that men will insist upon the universal application of a temporary feeling or opinion.
HERMAN MELVILLEIgnorance is the parent of fear.
HERMAN MELVILLEWhatever my fate, I’ll go to it laughing.
HERMAN MELVILLEIt is hard to be finite upon an infinite subject, and all subjects are infinite.
HERMAN MELVILLEArt is the objectification of feeling.
HERMAN MELVILLENo philosophers so thoroughly comprehend us as dogs and horses.
HERMAN MELVILLEI cherish the greatest respect towards everybody’s religious obligations, no matter how comical.
HERMAN MELVILLEOf all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well- warmed, and well-fed.
HERMAN MELVILLEHope is the struggle of the soul, breaking loose from what is perishable, and attesting her eternity.
HERMAN MELVILLEWhen among wild beasts, if they menace you, be a wild beast.
HERMAN MELVILLEDo not presume, well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed, to criticize the poor
HERMAN MELVILLE