We Americans are the peculiar, chosen people - the Israel of our time; we bear the ark of the liberties of the world.
Herman MelvilleA noble craft, but somehow a most melancholy! All noble things are touched with that.
Herman MelvilleMen there are, who having quite done with the world, all its merely worldly contents are become so far indifferent, that they carelittle of what mere worldly imprudence they may be guilty.
Herman MelvilleThe grand points in human nature are the same to-day they were a thousand years ago. The only variability in them is in expression, not in feature.
Herman MelvilleThere is the grand truth about Nathaniel Hawthorne. He says NO! in thunder; but the Devil himself cannot make him say yes. For all men who say yes, lie; and all men who say no,why, they are in the happy condition of judicious, unincumbered travellers in Europe; they cross the frontiers into Eternity with nothing but a carpet-bag,that is to say, the Ego. Whereas those yes-gentry, they travel with heaps of baggage, and, damn them! they will never get through the Custom House.
Herman Melville