How feeble is all language to describe the horrors we inflict upon these wretches, whom we mason up in the cells of our prisons, and condemn to perpetual solitude in the very heart of our population. Herman Melville More Quotes by Herman Melville More Quotes From Herman Melville Wag the world how it will, Leaves must be green in Spring. Herman Melville green spring world I am madness maddened! That wild madness that's only calm to comprehend itself Herman Melville calm madness O Death, the Consecrator! Nothing so sanctifies a name As to be written--Dead. Nothing so wins a life from blame, So covers it from wrath and shame, As doth the burial-bed. Herman Melville names winning death All we discover has been with us since the sun began to roll; and much we discover, is not worth the discovering. Herman Melville discovering sun discovery All things that God would have us do are hard for us to do--remember that--and hence, he oftener commands us than endeavours to persuade. Herman Melville endeavour god remember I have the satisfaction of knowing that it is all right; that everybody else is one way or other served in much the same way--either in a physical or metaphysical point of view, that is; and so the universal thump is passed round, and all hands should rub each other's shoulder-blades, and be content. Herman Melville knowing views hands All wars are boyish, and are fought by boys, The champions and enthusiasts of the state: Turbid ardors and vain joys Not barrenly abate-- Stimulants to the power mature, Preparatives of fate. Herman Melville fate boys war True Work is the necessity of poor humanity's earthly condition. The dignity is in leisure. Besides, 99 hundredths of all the work done in the world is either foolish and unnecessary, or harmful and wicked. Herman Melville wicked humanity work Youth is the time when hearts are large. Herman Melville youth heart Never joke at funerals, or during business transactions. Herman Melville transactions jokes funeral In placid hours well-pleased we dream Of many a brave unbodied scheme. But form to lend, pulsed life create, What unlike things must meet and mate: A flame to melt--a wind to freeze; Sad patience--joyous energies; Humility--yet pride and scorn; Instinct and study; love and hate; Audacity--reverence. These must mate, And fuse with Jacob's mystic heart, To wrestle with the angel--Art. Herman Melville hate dream art People seem to have a great love for names. For to know a great many names seems to look like knowing a good many things. Herman Melville knowing names knowledge I rejoice in my spine, as in the firm audacious staff of that flag which I fling half out to the world. Herman Melville flags half world Real strength never impairs beauty or harmony, but it often bestows it, and in everything imposingly beautiful, strength has much to do with the magic. Herman Melville strength beautiful inspirational Beware the People weeping When they bare the iron hand. Herman Melville iron hands people There is the grand truth about Nathaniel Hawthorne. He says NO! in thunder; but the Devil himself cannot make him say yes. For all men who say yes, lie; and all men who say no,why, they are in the happy condition of judicious, unincumbered travellers in Europe; they cross the frontiers into Eternity with nothing but a carpet-bag,that is to say, the Ego. Whereas those yes-gentry, they travel with heaps of baggage, and, damn them! they will never get through the Custom House. Herman Melville europe men lying A true military officer is in one particular like a true monk. Not with more self-abnegation will the latter keep his vows of monastic obedience than the former his vows of allegiance to martial duty. Herman Melville monk military self Who in the rainbow can draw the line where the violet tint ends and the orange tint begins? Herman Melville orange rainbow nature Top-heavy was the ship as a dinnerless student with all Aristotle in his head. Herman Melville ships heavy students In one word, Queequeg, said I, rather digressively; hell is an idea first born on an undigested apple-dumpling; and since then perpetuated through the hereditary dyspepsias nurtured by Ramadans. Herman Melville ramadan apples ideas