"For whatever is truly wondrous and fearful in man, never yet was put into words or books. And the drawing near of Death, which alike levels all, alike impresses all with a last revelation, which only an author from the dead could adequately tell."
Musing: Another passage about death. You'd think humans had a problem with death or something. The first line is an odd one. How to explain what is wondrous in man - I agree that is difficult. But whatever is fearful in man is an interesting line. It's not 'what man fears,' but maybe what we should fear in man? I think Melville got close with his depiction of Ahab. To me, Ahab is a character of wonder and to fear. Of the last line, I'm reminded of how my BFF Julie keeps telling me I should stop asking questions that can't be answered. And here, Melville would seem to agree. Only someone who is dead can speak of death with any certainty. I hate that I won't find out until the last revelation. But will I stop asking about death? Probably not.