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99 Top Quotes By Herman Melville, The Author Of Typee

Famous As: Novelist & Short Story Writer of the American Renaissance Period Best Known for His Works 'Moby-Dick' & 'Typee'
Born On: 1819
Died On: 1891
Born In: New York, New York, United States
Died At Age: 72

Herman Melville was one of the greatest American writers and poets of the American Renaissance period. Tragically, most of the recognition that Melville today is showered upon came in after his life. He started his career as a sailor, later serving as a crew man in various vessels. It was his experience at sea that shaped much of his future career as a novelist and writer. The experience and adventure at sea formed the crux and gave a background for his debut book, ‘Typee’. His early success prompted him to write the novels, ‘Mardi’ and ‘Redburn’. He then came up with his masterpiece ‘Moby-Dick’. Although the novel failed commercially then, it is today considered as a work of sheer genius. Melville’s style was complex and baroque. His works are rich in vocabulary and have a strong sense of rhythm to them. Also, Melville in most of his works plays with imagery, creating allusion that extends to scripture, myth, philosophy, literature and the visual arts. His sheer genius can also be seen in his quotes that maps the emotional, physical and psychological existence of humans. He has written quotes on love, dignity, hope, democracy, success, failure, friendship, truth and so on. Read on to find some of the highly meaningful quotes by Herman Melville.  

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

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

Herman Melville
I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing.

I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing.

Herman Melville
A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.

A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.

Herman Melville
I do not think I have any uncharitable prejudice against the rattlesnake, still, I should not like to be one.

I do not think I have any uncharitable prejudice against the rattlesnake, still, I should not like to be one.

Herman Melville
Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunk Christian.

Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunk Christian.

Herman Melville
It is not down on any map; true places never are.

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

Herman Melville
Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well- warmed, and well-fed.

Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well- warmed, and well-fed.

Herman Melville
As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.

As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.

Herman Melville
I try all things, I achieve what I can.

I try all things, I achieve what I can.

Herman Melville
I would prefer not to.

I would prefer not to.

Herman Melville
Talk not to me of blasphemy, man; I'd strike the sun if it insulted me.

Talk not to me of blasphemy, man; I'd strike the sun if it insulted me.

Herman Melville
For there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men

For there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men

Herman Melville
...and Heaven have mercy on us all - Presbyterians and Pagans alike - for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending.

...and Heaven have mercy on us all - Presbyterians and Pagans alike - for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending.

Herman Melville
Call me Ishmael.

Call me Ishmael.

Herman Melville
Ignorance is the parent of fear.

Ignorance is the parent of fear.

Herman Melville
I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.

I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.

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

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

Herman Melville
...to the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee.

...to the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee; for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee.

Herman Melville
Human madness is oftentimes a cunning and most feline thing. When you think it fled, it may have but become transfigured into some still subtler form.

Human madness is oftentimes a cunning and most feline thing. When you think it fled, it may have but become transfigured into some still subtler form.

Herman Melville
Think not, is my eleventh commandment; and sleep when you can, is my twelfth.

Think not, is my eleventh commandment; and sleep when you can, is my twelfth.

Herman Melville
It is the easiest thing in the world for a man to look as if he had a great secret in him.

It is the easiest thing in the world for a man to look as if he had a great secret in him.

Herman Melville
Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its jagged edges.

Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its jagged edges.

Herman Melville
Real strength never impairs beauty or harmony, but it often bestows it, and in everything imposingly beautiful, strength has much to do with the magic.

Real strength never impairs beauty or harmony, but it often bestows it, and in everything imposingly beautiful, strength has much to do with the magic.

Herman Melville
To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme.

To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme.

Herman Melville
A noble craft, but somehow a most melancholy! All noble things are touched with that.

A noble craft, but somehow a most melancholy! All noble things are touched with that.

Herman Melville
I have written a wicked book, and feel spotless as the lamb.

I have written a wicked book, and feel spotless as the lamb.

Herman Melville
Our souls are like those orphans whose unwedded mothers die in bearing them: the secret of our paternity lies in their grave, and we must there to learn it.

Our souls are like those orphans whose unwedded mothers die in bearing them: the secret of our paternity lies in their grave, and we must there to learn it.

Herman Melville
Beneath those stars is a universe of gliding monsters.

Beneath those stars is a universe of gliding monsters.

Herman Melville
We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results.

We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results.

Herman Melville
Whatever my fate, I'll go to it laughing.

Whatever my fate, I'll go to it laughing.

Herman Melville