Herman Melville Quotes about Life

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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.

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.

Herman Melville

Life, Birthday, Time

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

Herman Melville

Inspirational, Life, Motivational

Herman Melville, Harrison Hayford, G. Thomas Tanselle (1987). “Piazza Tales and Other Prose Pieces, 1839-1860: Volume Nine, Scholarly Edition”, p.247, Northwestern University Press

Life’s a voyage that’s homeward bound.

Herman Melville

Life, Inspiring, Voyages

Herman Melville (1970). “White-jacket: Or, The World in a Man-of-war”, p.400, Northwestern University Press

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.

Herman Melville

Inspirational, Life, Spiritual

At my years, and with my disposition, or rather, constitution, one gets to care less and less for everything except downright goodfeeling. Life is so short, and so ridiculous and irrational (from a certain point of view) that one knows not what to make of it, unless--well, finish the sentence for yourself.

Herman Melville

Life, Views, Years

Herman Melville, Lynn Horth (1993). “Correspondence”, p.454, Northwestern University Press

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

Inspirational, Life, Travel

Herman Melville (1892). “Moby Dick”, p.12

We die, because we live.

Herman Melville

Life, Death, Dies

Herman Melville (1931). “Romances of Herman Melville: Typee, Omoo, Mardi, Mopby-Dick, White-jacket, Israel Potter, Redburn”

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

Herman Melville

Life, Success, Work

We die of too much life.

Herman Melville

Life, Death, Too Much

Herman Melville (1855). “Mardi: And a Voyage Thither”, p.315

When I think of this life I have led; the desolation of solitude it has been; the masoned, walled-town of a Captain's exclusiveness, which admits but small entrance to any sympathy from the green country without - oh, weariness! heaviness! Guinea-coast slavery of solitary command!

Herman Melville

Life, Country, Thinking

1851 Captain Ahab. Moby Dick, ch.132.