In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
from the book "White-Jacket, Or, the World in a Man-Of-War" by Melville Herman
Quotes from the Book:White-Jacket, Or, the World in a Man-Of-War
- Author:
- Melville Herman
- Publisher:
- US Naval Institute Press
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Oh, give me again the rover's life, the joy, the thrill, the whirl! Let me feel thee again, old sea! Let me leap into thy saddle once more. I am sick of these terra firma toils and cares; sick of the dust and reek of towns. Let me hear the clatter of hailstones on icebergs, and not the dull tramp of these plodders, plodding their dull way from their cradles to their graves. Let me snuff thee up, sea-breeze! And whinny in thy spray. Forbid it, sea-gods! Intercede for me with Neptune, o sweet Amphitrite, that no dull clod may fall on my coffin! Be mine the tomb that swallowed up Pharaoh and all his hosts; let me lie down with Drake, where he sleeps in the sea.
from the book "White-Jacket, Or, the World in a Man-Of-War" by Melville Herman
I let nothing slip, however small; and feel myself actuated by the same motive which has prompted many worthy old chroniclers, to set down the merest trifles concerning things that are destined to pass away entirely from the earth, and which, if not preserved in the nick of time, must infallibly perish from the memories of man. Who knows that this humble narrative may not hereafter prove the history of an obsolete barbarism? Who knows that, when men-of-war shall be no more, "White-Jacket" may not be quoted to show to the people in the Millennium what a man-of-war was? God hasten the time!
from the book "White-Jacket, Or, the World in a Man-Of-War" by Melville Herman
Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver, but less daring. Thus with seamen: he who goes the oftenest round Cape Horn goes the most circumspectly.
from the book "White-Jacket, Or, the World in a Man-Of-War" by Melville Herman
I cannot analyse my heart, though it then stood still within me. But the thing that swayed me to my purpose was not altogether the thought that Captain Claret was about to degrade me, and that I had taken an oath with my soul that he should not. No, I felt my man's manhood so bottomless within me, that no word, no blow, no scourge of Captain Claret could cut me deep enough for that. I but swung to an instinct in me, the instinct diffused through all animated nature, the same that prompts even a worm to turn under the heel. Locking souls-with him, I meant to drag Captain Claret from this earthly tribunal of his to that of Jehovah and let Him decide between us. No other way could I escape the scourge.
from the book "White-Jacket, Or, the World in a Man-Of-War" by Melville Herman
A man of true science uses but few hard words, and those only when none other will answer his purpose; whereas the smatterer in science thinks, that by mouthing hard words, he proves that he understands hard things.
from the book "White-Jacket, Or, the World in a Man-Of-War" by Melville Herman
It was not a very white jacket, but white enough, in all conscience, as the sequel will show.
The way I came by it was this...
from the book "White-Jacket, Or, the World in a Man-Of-War" by Melville Herman