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

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.

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities

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

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

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...

A whale ship was my Yale College and my Harvard.

A whale ship was my Yale College and my Harvard.

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...

So philosophers so throughly comprehend us as horses.

So philosophers so throughly comprehend us as horses.

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...

I am, as I am; whether hideous, or handsome, depends upon who is made judge.

I am, as I am; whether hideous, or handsome, depends upon who is made judge.

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.

There is one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea, whose gently awful stirrings...

There is one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea, whose gently awful stirrings...

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...

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.

In this world, shipmates, sin that pays its way can travel freely, and without passport;...

In this world, shipmates, sin that pays its way can travel freely, and without passport;...

Truth is the silliest thing under the sun. Try to get a living by the...

Truth is the silliest thing under the sun. Try to get a living by the...

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...

Books constitute capital. A library book lasts as long as a house, for hundreds of...

Books constitute capital. A library book lasts as long as a house, for hundreds of...

Buying books would be a good thing if one could also buy the time to...

Buying books would be a good thing if one could also buy the time to...

Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an...

Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an...