There is something wrong about the man who wants help. There is somewhere a deep defect, a want, in brief, a need, a crying need, somewhere about that man.

Quote by Herman Melville

Topics: Herman Melville Quotes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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.

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.

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...

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 better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.

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

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...

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 no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by...

There is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by...

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...

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...

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...

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.

Death is only a launching into the region of the strange Untried; it is but...

Death is only a launching into the region of the strange Untried; it is but...

Finality is death. Perfection is finality. Nothing is perfect. There are lumps in it.

Finality is death. Perfection is finality. Nothing is perfect. There are lumps in it.

Death is not the greatest of evils; it is worse to want to die, and...

Death is not the greatest of evils; it is worse to want to die, and...