From hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee.
—Herman Melville, 1851
Archive
Quotes
Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
—George Washington, 1796Any serious attempt to do anything worthwhile is ritualistic.
—Derek Walcott, 1986We should always presume the disease to be curable until its own nature proves it otherwise.
—Peter Mere Latham, c. 1845For, say they, when cruising in an empty ship, if you can get nothing better out of the world, get a good dinner out of it, at least.
—Herman Melville, 1851All men recognize the right of revolution, that is, the right to refuse allegiance to, and to resist, the government, when its tyranny or its inefficiency are great and unendurable.
—Henry David Thoreau, 1849I looked and there was a pale green horse! Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed with him.
—Book of Revelations, c. 90Pushing someone toward liberty does not set her free; taking the chains off a prisoner does not give him freedom.
—Ken Bugul, 1982I am sick and tired of publicity. I want no more of it. It puts me in a bad light. I just want to be forgotten.
—Al Capone, 1929Among famous traitors of history, one might mention the weather.
—Ilka Chase, 1969There is a demon who puts wings on certain tales and launches them like eagles out into space.
—Alexandre Dumas, 1846How sad a sight is human happiness to those whose thoughts can pierce beyond an hour!
—Edward Young, 1741I would delight in music, but the music is discordant.
—Xie Lingyun, c. 425