There is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself.

Quote by Herman Melville

Topics: Herman Melville Quotes

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...

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 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.

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...

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

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

Faith, like a jackal, feeds among the tombs, and even from these dead doubts she...

Faith, like a jackal, feeds among the tombs, and even from these dead doubts she...

For whatever is truly wondrous and fearful in man, never yet was put into words...

For whatever is truly wondrous and fearful in man, never yet was put into words...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Better sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.

Better sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.

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

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

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...

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

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

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...