Herman Melville quotes

Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet, best known for his masterpiece "Moby-Dick." His works often explored complex themes such as obsession, the nature of evil, and humanity’s relationship with the sea. He became an influential figure in American literature, though much of his acclaim came after his death. Here are 242 of his quotes:

Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.

Herman Melville

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.

Herman Melville

Ignorance is the parent of fear.

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

Truth is in things, and not in words.

Herman Melville

Friendship at first sight, like love at first sight, is said to be the only truth.

Herman Melville

A man thinks that by mouthing hard words he understands hard things.

Herman Melville

To the last, I grapple with thee; From Hell's heart, I stab at thee; For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee.

Herman Melville

There is sorrow in the world, but goodness too; and goodness that is not greenness, either, no more than sorrow is.

Herman Melville

It is not down in any map; true places never are.

Herman Melville

Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges.

Herman Melville

Ah, happiness courts the light so we deem the world is gay. But misery hides aloof so we deem that misery there is none.

Herman Melville

Heaven have mercy on us all - Presbyterians and Pagans alike - for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending.

Herman Melville

To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring volume can ever be written on the flea, though many there be that have tried it.

Herman Melville

In this world, shipmates, sin that pays its way can travel freely, and without passport; whereas Virtue, if a pauper, is stopped at all frontiers.

Herman Melville

Of 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 Melville

There is nothing namable but that some men will, or undertake to, do it for pay.

Herman Melville

If some books are deemed most baneful and their sale forbid, how then with deadlier facts, not dreams of doting men Those whom books will hurt will not be proof against events. Events, not books should be forbid.

Herman Melville

One trembles to think of that mysterious thing in the soul, which seems to acknowledge no human jurisdiction, but in spite of the individual's own innocent self, will still dream horrid dreams, and mutter unmentionable thoughts.

Herman Melville

Youth is the time when hearts are large, And stirring wars Appeal to the spirit which appeals in turn To the blade it draws.

Herman Melville

What we take to be our strongest tower of delight, only stands at the caprice of the minutest event the falling of a leaf, the hearing of a voice, or the receipt of one little bit of paper scratched over with a few small characters by a sharpened feather.

Herman Melville

In this world of lies, Truth is forced to fly like a scared white doe in the woodlands; and only by cunning glimpses will she reveal herself, as in Shakespeare and other masters of the great Art of Telling the Truth, even though it be covertly, and by snatches.

Herman Melville