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.'

There's something ever egotistical in mountain-tops and towers, and all other grand and lofty things. Herman Melville
I will live and die by this testimony: that I loved a good conscience; that I never invaded another man's liberty; and that I preserved my own. Herman Melville
Is there some principal of nature which states that we never know the quality of what we have until it is gone? Herman Melville
A thing may be incredible and still be true; sometimes it is incredible because it is true. Herman Melville
A thing may be incredible and still be true; sometimes it is incredible because it is true. Herman Melville
Envy...since it’s lodgement is in the heart, not the brain, no degree of intellect supplies a guarantee against it. Herman Melville
A whale ship was my Yale College and my Harvard. Herman Melville
The poor man wants many things; the covetous man, all. Herman Melville
Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver, but less daring. Thus with seamen: he who goes the oftenest round Cape Horn goes the most circumspectly. Herman Melville
Can it be, that the Greek grammarians invented their dual number for the particular benefit of twins? Herman Melville
Gold in the mountain / And gold in the glen / And greed in the heart / Heaven having no part / And unsatisfied men. Herman Melville
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. Herman Melville
The march of conquest through wild provinces, may be the march of Mind; but not the march of Love. Herman Melville
A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities. Herman Melville
We rovers bold, / To the land of Gold, / Over the bowling billows are gliding: / Eager to toil, / For the golden spoil Herman Melville
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. Herman Melville
Yea, foolish mortals, Noah's flood is not yet subsided. Two thirds of the fair world it yet covers. Herman Melville
An utterly fearless man is a far more dangerous comrade than a coward. Herman Melville
There's magic in the water that draws all men away from the land, that leads them over hills, down creeks and streams and rivers to the sea. Herman Melville
About the Shark, phlegmatical one,Pale sot of the Maldive sea. The sleek little pilot-fish, azure and slim, how alert in attendance be. Herman Melville
I am, as I am; whether hideous, or handsome, depends upon who is made judge. Herman Melville
It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. Herman Melville
There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness is the true method. Herman Melville
The evening of the last day of the week was always celebrated by what is styled on board of English vessels, 'The Saturday Night Bottles.' Two of these were sent down into the forecastle, just after dark; one for the starboard watch, and the other for the larboard. Herman Melville
To know how to grow old is the masterwork of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters in the great art of living. Herman Melville
War being the greatest of evils, all its accessories necessarily partake of the same character. Herman Melville
A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities. Herman Melville
He who is ready to despair in solitary peril, plucks up a heart in the presence of another. In a plurality of comrades is much countenance and consolation. Herman Melville
Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed. Herman Melville
Genius all over the world stands hand in hand, and one shock of recognition runs the whole circle round. Herman Melville