Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet. He is best known for his novel Moby-Dick.
Born: August 1, 1819, New York City
Died: September 28, 1891, New York City
It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.
Truth is in things, and not in words.
To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment.
There is all of the difference in the world between paying and being paid.
He who has never failed somewhere, that man can not be great.
A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.
There is sorrow in the world, but goodness too; and goodness that is not greenness, either, no more than sorrow is.
There is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself.
Whatever fortune brings, don’t be afraid of doing things.
Better sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.
A man thinks that by mouthing hard words he understands hard things.
Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges.
To know how to grow old is the master work of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters in the great art of living.
They talk of the dignity of work. The dignity is in leisure.
Friendship at first sight, like love at first sight, is said to be the only truth.
All Profound things, and emotions of things are preceded and attended by Silence.
Do not presume, well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed, to criticize the poor.
Ignorance is the parent of fear.
It is not down in any map; true places never are.
