Herman Melville

In our own hearts, we mold the whole world's hereafters; and in our own hearts we fashion our own gods.

There are times when even the most potent governor must wink at transgression, in order to preserve the laws inviolate for the future.

Some dying men are the most tyrannical; and certainly, since they will shortly trouble us so little for evermore, the poor fellows ought to be indulged.

Know, thou, that the lines that live are turned out of a furrowed brow.

The march of conquest through wild provinces, may be the march of Mind; but not the march of Love.

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.

Is there some principal of nature which states that we never know the quality of what we have until it is gone?

It is impossible to talk or to write without apparently throwing oneself helplessly open.

Faith, like a jackal, feeds among the tombs, and even from these dead doubts she gathers her most vital hope.

There are some persons in this world, who, unable to give better proof of being wise, take a strange delight in showing what they think they have sagaciously read in mankind by uncharitable suspicions of them.

To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment.

Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges.

Truth is in things, and not in words.

Let us speak, though we show all our faults and weaknesses, - for it is a sign of strength to be weak, to know it, and out with it - not in a set way and ostentatiously, though, but incidentally and without premeditation.

There is one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath.

Art is the objectification of feeling.

A man of true science... thinks, that by mouthing hard words, he proves that he understands hard things.

To know how to grow old is the master work of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters in the great art of living.

I am, as I am; whether hideous, or handsome, depends upon who is made judge.

He seemed to take to me quite as naturally and unbiddenly as I to him; and when our smoke was over, he pressed his forehead against mine, clasped me round the waist, and said that henceforth we were married.

We Americans are the peculiar, chosen people - the Israel of our time; we bear the ark of the liberties of the world.