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

Quote by Herman Melville

Topics: Herman Melville Quotes

Toil is man's allotment; toil of brain, or toil of hands, or a grief that's...

Toil is man's allotment; toil of brain, or toil of hands, or a grief that's...

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...

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...

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.

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...

There is all of the difference in the world between paying and being paid.

There is all of the difference in the world between paying and being paid.

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...

Truth is in things, and not in words.

Truth is in things, and not in words.

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...

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

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

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...

Better sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.

Better sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.

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

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...

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...

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

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

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 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,...

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.