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Quotation from Billy Budd and Other Stories by Herman Melville

“I would prefer not to”

Herman Melville (spoken by Bartleby)

Billy Budd and Other Stories, Bartleby, the Scrivener (Putnam's Monthly (1853) / Piazza Tales (1856))

Portrait of Herman Melville

Bartleby's first and endlessly repeated refusal when asked to examine a copy.

Citation: "I would prefer not to" — Herman Melville, Billy Budd and Other Stories, Bartleby, the Scrivener (Putnam's Monthly (1853) / Piazza Tales (1856)). (id billy-budd-and-other-stories-q1)

Portrait: Herman Melville by Joseph O Eaton, Joseph Oriel Eaton, Public domain.

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Quote card: I would prefer not to