There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life when a man takes his whole universe for a vast practical joke.

Quote by Herman Melville

Topics: Herman Melville Quotes

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...

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...

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

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

To the last, I grapple with thee; From Hell's heart, I stab at thee; For...

To the last, I grapple with thee; From Hell's heart, I stab at thee; For...

The beauty myth moves for men as a mirage; its power lies in its ever-receding...

The beauty myth moves for men as a mirage; its power lies in its ever-receding...

At sea a fellow comes out. Salt water is like wine, in that respect.

At sea a fellow comes out. Salt water is like wine, in that respect.

Whatever fortune brings, don't be afraid of doing things.

Whatever fortune brings, don't be afraid of doing things.

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...

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,...

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.

There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness is the true method.

There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness is the true method.

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.

Who in the rainbow can draw the line where the violet tint ends and the...

Who in the rainbow can draw the line where the violet tint ends and the...

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...

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...

Better sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.

Better sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.

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.

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...

It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.

It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.

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...