Herman Melville Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old Herman Melville quotes, Herman Melville sayings, and Herman Melville proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.'

It is not down in any map; true places never are. Herman Melville
The consciousness of being deemed dead, is next to the presumable unpleasantness of being so in reality. One feels like his own ghost unlawfully tenanting a defunct carcass. Herman Melville
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. Herman Melville
For whatever is truly wondrous and fearful in man, never yet was put into words or books. Herman Melville
There is, one knows not what sweet mystery about the sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath. 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
It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. Herman Melville
So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains. Herman Melville
A good laugh is a mighty good thing, a rather too scarce a good thing. Herman Melville
A laugh's the wisest, easiest answer to all that's queer. Herman Melville
To a sensitive being, pity is not seldom pain. Herman Melville
It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. Herman Melville
War being the greatest of evils, all its accessories necessarily partake of the same character. Herman Melville
Real strength never impairs beauty of harmony, but it often bestows it; and in everything imposingly beautiful, strength has much to do with the magic. Herman Melville
Immortality is but ubiquity in time. Herman Melville
There's something ever egotistical in mountain tops and towers, and all things grand and lofty. Herman Melville
A hermitage in the forest is the refuge of the narrow-minded misanthrope; a hammock on the ocean is the asylum for the generous distressed. Herman Melville
When a companion's heart of itself overflows, the best one can do is to do nothing. Herman Melville
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects. Herman Melville
The symmetry of form attainable in pure fiction can not so readily be achieved in a narration essentially having less to do with fable than with fact. Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges. Herman Melville
There is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself. Herman Melville
Praise when merited is not a boon: yet to a generous nature, is it pleasant to utter it. Herman Melville
A thing may be incredible and still be true; sometimes it is incredible because it is true. Herman Melville
If you begin the day with a laugh, you may, nevertheless, end it with a sob and a sigh. 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
There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life when a man takes his whole universe for a vast practical joke. Herman Melville
Bachelors alone can travel freely, and without any twinges of their consciences touching desertion of the fire-side. Herman Melville
A hermitage in the forest is the refuge of the narrow-minded misanthrope; a hammock on the ocean is the asylum for the generous distressed. Herman Melville
Friendship at first sight, like love at first sight, is said to be the only truth. Herman Melville
Great towers take time to construct. Herman Melville