American quotes

Discover the quintessential spirit of America through a vast collection of inspiring quotes capturing the essence of its people, culture, history, and values on our quote website.

I call this turf ‘n’ turf. It's a 16 oz T-bone and a 24 oz porterhouse. Also, whiskey and a cigar. I am going to consume all of this at the same time because I am a free American.

- Ron Swanson

Lead me, follow me, or get the hell out of my way.

- George S. Patton

Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.

- George S. Patton

A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.

- George S. Patton

This whole world is a preposterous one, with many preposterous people in it.

- Herman Melville

For in tremendous extremities human souls are like drowning men; well enough they know they are in peril; well enough they know the causes of that peril; – nevertheless, the sea is the sea, and these drowning men do drown.

- Herman Melville

A gentle sister is the second best gift to a man.

- Herman Melville

Talk not to me of blasphemy, man; I'd strike the sun if it insulted me.

- Herman Melville

It is not down on any map; true places never are.

- Herman Melville

Ignorance is the parent of fear.

- Herman Melville

I try all things, I achieve what I can.

- Herman Melville

I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I'll go to it laughing.

- Herman Melville

Human madness is oftentimes a cunning and most feline thing. When you think it fled, it may have but become transfigured into some still subtler form.

- Herman Melville

Call me Ishmael.

- Herman Melville

Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunk Christian.

- Herman Melville

As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas, and land on barbarous coasts.

- Herman Melville

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.

- Herman Melville

It's better to fail in originality than succeed in imitation.

- Herman Melville

I do not think I have any uncharitable prejudice against the rattlesnake, still, I should not like to be one.

- Herman Melville

If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it; Every arrow that flies feels the attraction of earth.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow