To treat of human actions is to deal wholly with second causes.

Yea, foolish mortals, Noah's flood is not yet subsided; two thirds of the fair world it yet covers.

If not against us, nature is not for us.

The result of civilization, at the Sandwich Islands and elsewhere, is found productive to the civilizers, destructive to the civilizees. It is said to be compensation--a very philosophical word; but it appears to be very much on the principle of the old game, "You lose, I win": good philosophy for the winner.

Cannibals? Who is not a cannibal? I tell you it will be more tolerable for the Fejee that salted down a lean missionary in his cellar against a coming famine; it will be more tolerable for that provident Fejee, I say, in the day of judgement, than for thee, civilized and enlightened gourmand, who nailest geese to the ground and feastest on their bloated livers in thy pate de fois gras.

To be a born American citizen seems a guarantee against pauperism; and this, perhaps, springs from the virtue of a vote.

Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale... from hell's heart I stab at thee.