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 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 food men peace Nature has not implanted any power in man that was not meant to be exercised at times, though too often our powers have been abused. The privilege, inborn and inalienable, that every man has of dying himself, and inflicting death upon another, was not given to us without a purpose. These are the last resources of an insulted and unendurable existence. Herman Melville lasts dying men They talk of the dignity of work. The dignity is in leisure. Herman Melville work success life The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails whereon my soul is grooved to run Herman Melville iron soul running I try all things, I achieve what I can. Herman Melville achieve all-things trying But the past is passed; why moralize upon it? Forget it. See, yon bright son has forgotten it all, and the blue sea, and the blue sky; these have turned over new leaves. Because they have no memory . . . because they are not human. Herman Melville memories past son Whatever my fate, I'll go to it laughing. Herman Melville fate laughing Do not presume, well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed, to criticize the poor Herman Melville feds criticize poor All experience teaches that, whenever there is a great national establishment, employing large numbers of officials, the public must be reconciled to support many incompetent men; for such is the favoritism and nepotism always prevailing in the purlieus of these establishments, that some incompetent persons are always admitted, to the exclusion of many of the worthy. Herman Melville support numbers men truly to enjoy bodily warmth, some small part of you must be cold, for there is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself. If you flatter yourself that you are all over comfortable, and have been so a long time, then you cannot be said to be comfortable any more. Herman Melville quality long world How it is I know not; but there is no place like a bed for confidential disclosures between friends. Man and wife, they say, there open the very bottom of their souls to each other; and some old couples often lie and chat over old times till nearly morning. Thus, then, in our hearts' honeymoon, lay I and Queequeg - a cosy, loving pair. Herman Melville couple morning lying 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 literature writing book It does seem to me, that herein we see the rare virtue of a strong individual vitality, and the rare virtue of thick walls, and the rare virtue of interior spaciousness. Oh, man! admire and model thyself after the whale! Do thou, too, remain warm among ice. Do thou, too, live in this world without being of it. Be cool at the equator; keep thy blood fluid at the Pole. Like the great dome of St. Peter's, and like the great whale, retain, O man! in all seasons a temperature of thine own. Herman Melville wall strong men 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 life-and-love hate heart When beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean’s skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not willingly remember that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang. Herman Melville ocean heart beauty Genius, all over the world, stands hand in hand, and one shock of recognition runs the whole circle round. Herman Melville circles running hands Talk not to me of blasphemy, man; I'd strike the sun if it insulted me. Herman Melville atheism doubt men For small erections may be finished by their first architects; grand ones, true ones, ever leave the copestone to posterity. God keep me from ever completing anything. This whole book is but a draught—nay, but the draught of a draught. Oh, Time, Strength, Cash, and Patience! Herman Melville cash may book Is Ahab, Ahab? Is it I, God, or who, that lifts this arm? But if the great sun move not of himself; but is an errand-boy in heaven; nor one single star can revolve, but by some invisible power; how then can this one small heart beat; this one small brain think thoughts; unless God does that beating, does that thinking, does that living, and not I. Herman Melville stars heart moving There is a touch of divinity even in brutes, and a special halo about a horse, that should forever exempt him from indignities. Herman Melville horse special forever
