A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.

Quote by Herman Melville

Topics: Herman Melville Quotes

So philosophers so throughly comprehend us as horses.

So philosophers so throughly comprehend us as horses.

There are hardly five critics in America; and several of them are asleep.

There are hardly five critics in America; and several of them are asleep.

They talk of the dignity of work. The dignity is in leisure.

They talk of the dignity of work. The dignity is in leisure.

A man thinks that by mouthing hard words he understands hard things.

A man thinks that by mouthing hard words he understands hard things.

A whale ship was my Yale College and my Harvard.

A whale ship was my Yale College and my Harvard.

In this world, shipmates, sin that pays its way can travel freely, and without passport;...

In this world, shipmates, sin that pays its way can travel freely, and without passport;...

To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring...

To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring...

All men live enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but...

All men live enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but...

Is there some principal of nature which states that we never know the quality of...

Is there some principal of nature which states that we never know the quality of...

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

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

There is a touch of divinity even in brutes, and a special halo about a...

There is a touch of divinity even in brutes, and a special halo about a...

It is not down in any map; true places never are.

It is not down in any map; true places never are.

Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence...

Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence...

There is no dignity in wickedness, whether in purple or rags; and hell is a...

There is no dignity in wickedness, whether in purple or rags; and hell is a...

Some dying men are the most tyrannical; and certainly, since they will shortly trouble us...

Some dying men are the most tyrannical; and certainly, since they will shortly trouble us...

We may have civilized bodies and yet barbarous souls. We are blind to the real...

We may have civilized bodies and yet barbarous souls. We are blind to the real...

I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll...

I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll...

Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges.

Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges.

There is nothing namable but that some men will, or undertake to, do it for...

There is nothing namable but that some men will, or undertake to, do it for...

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

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