It is well known, that the best productions of the best human intellects, are generally regarded by those intellects as mere immature freshman exercises, wholly worthless in themselves, except as initiatives for entering the great University of God after death.

War should be carried on like a monsoon; one changeless determination of every particle towards the one unalterable aim.

The world is forever babbling of originality; but there never yet was an original man, in the sense intended by the world; the first man himself--who according to the Rabbins was also the first author--not being an original; the only original author being God.

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

Queequeg was a native of Kokovoko, an island far away to the West and South. It is not down in any map; true places never are.

It is hard to be finite upon an infinite subject, and all subjects are infinite.

Of all insults, the temporary condescension of a master to a slave is the most outrageous and galling. That potentate who most condescends, mark him well; for that potentate, if occasion come, will prove your uttermost tyrant.