Herman Melville quote about speech from Moby-Dick - If the gods think to speak outright to man, they will honorably speak outright; not shake their heads, and give an old wives' darkling hint.
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If the gods think to speak outright to man, they will honorably speak outright; not shake their heads, and give an old wives' darkling hint.
 Herman Melville, Moby-Dick (1851). copy citation

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Author Herman Melville
Source Moby-Dick
Topic speech clarity innuendo
Date 1851
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2701/2701-h/2701-h.htm

Context

“did I not know thee brave as fearless fire (and as mechanical) I could swear thou wert a poltroon. Groan nor laugh should be heard before a wreck.»
«Aye, sir,» said Starbuck drawing near, «'tis a solemn sight; an omen, and an ill one.»
«Omen? omen?—the dictionary! If the gods think to speak outright to man, they will honorably speak outright; not shake their heads, and give an old wives' darkling hint.—Begone! Ye two are the opposite poles of one thing; Starbuck is Stubb reversed, and Stubb is Starbuck; and ye two are all mankind; and Ahab stands alone among the millions of the peopled earth, nor gods nor men his neighbors!” source

Meaning and analysis

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