American - Novelist | August 1, 1819 - September 28, 1891
I am, as I am; whether hideous, or handsome, depends upon who is made judge.
Herman Melville
I AmHandsomeJudgeMadeDependsAm
It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation.
SucceedBetterOriginalityFailThan
A smile is the chosen vehicle of all ambiguities.
SmileChosenVehicle
There is no dignity in wickedness, whether in purple or rags; and hell is a democracy of devils, where all are equals.
DemocracyHellDignityPurpleDevils
They talk of the dignity of work. The dignity is in leisure.
WorkDignityTalkLeisure
To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring volume can ever be written on the flea, though many there be that have tried it.
GreatBookYouChooseMightyTheme
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.
LiveMenConnectUsCannotOnly
There is one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea, whose gently awful stirrings seem to speak of some hidden soul beneath.
SeaSoulSweetSpeakMysteryHidden
Truth uncompromisingly told will always have its ragged edges.
TruthWillAlwaysEdgesRagged
Better sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunken Christian.
SleepBetterChristianSoberThan
To be hated cordially, is only a left-handed compliment.
ComplimentOnlyHatedLeft-Handed
There is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself.
QualityWorldNothingContrast
Copyright © 2024 QuotesDict Herman Melville quotes