All Herman Melville Quotes
Better sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.
Herman Melville
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He who has never failed somewhere, that man can not be great.
Herman Melville
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Some dying men are the most tyrannical; and certainly, since they will shortly trouble us so little for evermore, the poor fellows ought to be indulged.
Herman Melville
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At sea a fellow comes out. Salt water is like wine, in that respect.
Herman Melville
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Truth is the silliest thing under the sun. Try to get a living by the Truth and go to the Soup Societies. Heavens! Let any clergyman try to preach the Truth from its very stronghold, the pulpit, and they would ride him out of his church on his own pulpit bannister.
Herman Melville
46% of people like this quote
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
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They talk of the dignity of work. The dignity is in leisure.
Herman Melville
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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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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
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To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment.
Herman Melville
44% of people like this quote
There is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself.
Herman Melville
44% of people like this quote
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