For though consciences are as unlike as foreheads, every intelligence, not including the Scriptural devils who "believe and tremble" has one. Herman Melville More Quotes by Herman Melville More Quotes From Herman Melville Ladies are like creeds; if you cannot speak well of them, say nothing. Herman Melville women speak religion Friendship at first sight, like love at first sight, is said to be the only truth. Herman Melville sight love friendship You know nothing till you know all; which is the reason we never know any thing. Herman Melville reason knows knowledge for there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men Herman Melville madness earth men To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. Herman Melville fleas writing book Why did the old Persians hold the sea holy? Why did the Greeks give it a separate deity, and own brother Jove? Surely all this is not without meaning. And still deeper the meaning of that story of Narcissus, who because he could not grasp the tormenting mild image he saw in the fountain, plunged into it and was drowned. But that same image, we ourselves see in all rivers and oceans. It is the image of the ungraspable phantom of life; and this is the key to it all. Herman Melville ocean keys brother Hope is the struggle of the soul, breaking loose from what is perishable, and attesting her eternity. Herman Melville soul struggle hope I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing. Herman Melville laughter adventure laughing Nature is nobody's ally. Herman Melville allies nature Better be an old maid, a woman with herself as a husband, than the wife of a fool; and Solomon more than hints that all men are fools; and every wise man knows himself to be one. Herman Melville husband wise men If you can get nothing better out of the world, get a good dinner out of it, at least. Herman Melville dinner ifs world As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts. Herman Melville inspirational life travel There is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself. Herman Melville quality reality world Yet habit - strange thing! what cannot habit accomplish? Herman Melville advocating strange habit I have no objection to any person's religion, be it what it may, so long as that person does not kill or insult any other person, because that other person don't believe it also. But when a man's religion becomes really frantic; when it is a positive torment to him; and, in fine, makes this earth of ours an uncomfortable inn to lodge in; then I think it high time to take that individual aside and argue the point with him. Herman Melville men believe thinking We are only what we are; not what we would be; nor every thing we hope for. We are but a step in a scale, that reaches further above us than below. Herman Melville humanity perfection would-be There is a savor of life and immortality in substantial fare. Like balloons, we are nothing till filled. Herman Melville balloons immortality eating Silence is the only Voice of our God. Herman Melville voice silence change 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 tyrants wife past Swerve me? The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails, whereon my soul is grooved to run. Over unsounded gorges, through the rifled hearts of mountains, under torrents' beds, unerringly I rush! Naught's an obstacle, naught's an angle to the iron way! Herman Melville iron heart running
