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

Quote by Herman Melville

Topics: Herman Melville Quotes

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...

Truth is in things, and not in words.

Truth is in things, and not in words.

There are times when even the most potent governor must wink at transgression, in order...

There are times when even the most potent governor must wink at transgression, in order...

Old age is always wakeful; as if, the longer linked with life, the less man...

Old age is always wakeful; as if, the longer linked with life, the less man...

To be called one thing, is oftentimes to be another.

To be called one thing, is oftentimes to be another.

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...

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...

There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life...

There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life...

Do not presume, well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed, to criticize the poor

Do not presume, well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed, to criticize the poor

He who has never failed somewhere, that man can not be great.

He who has never failed somewhere, that man can not be great.

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...

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...

Let us speak, though we show all our faults and weaknesses, - for it is...

Let us speak, though we show all our faults and weaknesses, - for it is...

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities

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...

So philosophers so throughly comprehend us as horses.

So philosophers so throughly comprehend us as horses.

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

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

Hope is the struggle of the soul, breaking loose from what is perishable, and attesting...

Hope is the struggle of the soul, breaking loose from what is perishable, and attesting...

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

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

There is sorrow in the world, but goodness too; and goodness that is not greenness,...

There is sorrow in the world, but goodness too; and goodness that is not greenness,...