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

Quote by Herman Melville

Topics: Herman Melville Quotes

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.

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...

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

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

He pressed his forehead against mine, clasped me round the waist, and said that henceforth...

He pressed his forehead against mine, clasped me round the waist, and said that henceforth...

There is something wrong about the man who wants help. There is somewhere a deep...

There is something wrong about the man who wants help. There is somewhere a deep...

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men;...

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men;...

Yet habit - strange thing! what cannot habit accomplish?

Yet habit - strange thing! what cannot habit accomplish?

Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges.

Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges.

We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads,...

We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads,...

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...

Friendship at first sight, like love at first sight, is said to be the only...

Friendship at first sight, like love at first sight, is said to be the only...

Where do murderers go, man! Who's to doom, when the judge himself is dragged to...

Where do murderers go, man! Who's to doom, when the judge himself is dragged to...

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

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

God help thee, old man, thy thoughts have created a creature in thee; and he...

God help thee, old man, thy thoughts have created a creature in thee; and he...

Death is only a launching into the region of the strange Untried; it is but...

Death is only a launching into the region of the strange Untried; it is but...

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

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

Heaven have mercy on us all - Presbyterians and Pagans alike - for we are...

Heaven have mercy on us all - Presbyterians and Pagans alike - for we are...

He piled upon the whale's white hump the sum of all the general rage and...

He piled upon the whale's white hump the sum of all the general rage and...

Anger is natural. It's part of the force. You just have to learn to hang...

Anger is natural. It's part of the force. You just have to learn to hang...

Rage is the only quality which has kept me, or anybody I have ever studied,...

Rage is the only quality which has kept me, or anybody I have ever studied,...