Herman Melville Quotes

So philosophers so throughly comprehend us as horses. - Herman Melville

So man's insanity is heaven's sense; and wandering from all mortal reason, man comes at last to that celestial thought, which, to reason, is absurd and frantic; and weal or woe, feels then uncompromised, indifferent as his God. - Herman Melville

People think that if a man has undergone any hardship, he should have a reward; but for my part, if I have done the hardest possible day's work, and then come to sit down in a corner and eat my supper comfortably --why, then I don't think I deserve any reward for my hard day's work --for am I not now at peace? Is not my supper good? - Herman Melville

Old age is always wakeful; as if, the longer linked with life, the less man has to do with aught that looks like death. - Herman Melville

No utter surprise can come to him Who reaches Shakespeare's core; That which we seek and shun is there - Man's final lore. - Herman Melville

Miserable man! Oh! most contemptible and worthy of all scorn; with slouched hat and guilty eye, skulking from his God; prowling among the shipping like a vile burglar hastening to cross the seas. - Herman Melville

Methinks that what they call my shadow here on earth is my true substance. Methinks that in looking at things spiritual, we are too much like oysters observing the sun through the water, and thinking that thick water the thinnest of air. - Herman Melville

Let us speak, though we show all our faults and weaknesses, - for it is a sign of strength to be weak, to know it, and out with it - not in a set way and ostentatiously, though, but incidentally and without premeditation. - Herman Melville

Let me look into a human eye; it is better than to gaze into sea or sky; better than to gaze upon God. - Herman Melville

Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence in the children of any other land. - Herman Melville

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