“ It is the easiest thing in the world for a man to look as if he had a great secret in him. ”
Herman Melville, Moby-Dick (1851). copy citation
| Author | Herman Melville |
|---|---|
| Source | Moby-Dick |
| Topic | appearance secrecy |
| Date | 1851 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2701/2701-h/2701-h.htm |
Context
“«And it's said very well, and I like to hear a chap talk up that way; you are just the man for him—the likes of ye. Morning to ye, shipmates, morning! Oh! when ye get there, tell 'em I've concluded not to make one of 'em.»
«Ah, my dear fellow, you can't fool us that way—you can't fool us. It is the easiest thing in the world for a man to look as if he had a great secret in him.»
«Morning to ye, shipmates, morning.»
«Morning it is,» said I. «Come along, Queequeg, let's leave this crazy man. But stop, tell me your name, will you?»
«Elijah.»
Elijah! thought I, and we walked away, both commenting, after each other's fashion, upon this ragged old sailor; and agreed that he was nothing but a humbug, trying to be a bugbear.” source
«Ah, my dear fellow, you can't fool us that way—you can't fool us. It is the easiest thing in the world for a man to look as if he had a great secret in him.»
«Morning to ye, shipmates, morning.»
«Morning it is,» said I. «Come along, Queequeg, let's leave this crazy man. But stop, tell me your name, will you?»
«Elijah.»
Elijah! thought I, and we walked away, both commenting, after each other's fashion, upon this ragged old sailor; and agreed that he was nothing but a humbug, trying to be a bugbear.” source
Meaning and analysis
