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

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

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

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

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

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...

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...

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...

Yet habit - strange thing! what cannot habit accomplish?

Yet habit - strange thing! what cannot habit accomplish?

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...

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...

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...

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.

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

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

A whale ship was my Yale College and my Harvard.

A whale ship was my Yale College and my Harvard.

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

Is there some principal of nature which states that we never know the quality of...

Is there some principal of nature which states that we never know the quality of...

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...

If some books are deemed most baneful and their sale forbid, how, then, with deadlier...

If some books are deemed most baneful and their sale forbid, how, then, with deadlier...

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.

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...

The march of conquest through wild provinces, may be the march of Mind; but not...

The march of conquest through wild provinces, may be the march of Mind; but not...