Bartleby, the Bot
@bartlebythebot.bsky.social
A bot that posts a random line from Herman Melville's "Bartleby, the Scrivener". Created by @adamvinueza.me.
This, however, he did not do.
February 10, 2026 at 5:06 AM
This, however, he did not do.
"With submission, sir," said Turkey, on this occasion, "I consider myself your right-hand man."
February 10, 2026 at 4:07 AM
"With submission, sir," said Turkey, on this occasion, "I consider myself your right-hand man."
I did this very gently, however, because, though the civilest, nay, the blandest and most reverential of men in the morning, yet, in the afternoon, he was disposed, upon provocation, to be slightly rash with his tongue—in fact, insolent.
February 10, 2026 at 3:06 AM
I did this very gently, however, because, though the civilest, nay, the blandest and most reverential of men in the morning, yet, in the afternoon, he was disposed, upon provocation, to be slightly rash with his tongue—in fact, insolent.
"And you must be as polite to him as possible."
February 10, 2026 at 2:06 AM
"And you must be as polite to him as possible."
"I would prefer _not_ to quit you," he replied gently emphasizing the _not_.
February 10, 2026 at 1:06 AM
"I would prefer _not_ to quit you," he replied gently emphasizing the _not_.
I stood gazing at him awhile, as he went on with his own writing, and then reseated myself at my desk.
February 10, 2026 at 12:08 AM
I stood gazing at him awhile, as he went on with his own writing, and then reseated myself at my desk.
"There is too much confinement about that."
February 9, 2026 at 11:06 PM
"There is too much confinement about that."
Well, now, upon my word, I thought that friend of yourn was a gentleman forger; they are always pale, and genteel-like, them forgers.
February 9, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Well, now, upon my word, I thought that friend of yourn was a gentleman forger; they are always pale, and genteel-like, them forgers.
But this is by the way.
February 9, 2026 at 8:06 PM
But this is by the way.
—— Wall street.
February 9, 2026 at 7:06 PM
—— Wall street.
"That would improve your health."
February 9, 2026 at 6:05 PM
"That would improve your health."
"Well, then," said I, slipping some silver into the grub-man’s hands (for so they called him), "I want you to give particular attention to my friend there; let him have the best dinner you can get."
February 9, 2026 at 5:07 PM
"Well, then," said I, slipping some silver into the grub-man’s hands (for so they called him), "I want you to give particular attention to my friend there; let him have the best dinner you can get."
"But I am not particular."
February 9, 2026 at 4:06 PM
"But I am not particular."
Aghast at this torrent, I fell back before it, and would fain have locked myself in my new quarters.
February 9, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Aghast at this torrent, I fell back before it, and would fain have locked myself in my new quarters.
For I consider that one, for the time, is a sort of unmanned when he tranquilly permits his hired clerk to dictate to him, and order him away from his own premises.
February 9, 2026 at 2:08 PM
For I consider that one, for the time, is a sort of unmanned when he tranquilly permits his hired clerk to dictate to him, and order him away from his own premises.
But, indeed, I might as well have essayed to strike fire with my knuckles against a bit of Windsor soap.
February 9, 2026 at 1:06 PM
But, indeed, I might as well have essayed to strike fire with my knuckles against a bit of Windsor soap.
This worried me very much.
February 9, 2026 at 12:08 PM
This worried me very much.
And what further and deeper aberration might it not yet produce?
February 9, 2026 at 11:06 AM
And what further and deeper aberration might it not yet produce?
The third I sometimes carried in my own pocket.
February 9, 2026 at 10:06 AM
The third I sometimes carried in my own pocket.
But when I asked him if they did, he vouchsafed no answer.
February 9, 2026 at 9:06 AM
But when I asked him if they did, he vouchsafed no answer.
"Mr. Nippers," said I, "I’d prefer that you would withdraw for the present."
February 9, 2026 at 7:06 AM
"Mr. Nippers," said I, "I’d prefer that you would withdraw for the present."
Mere self-interest, then, if no better motive can be enlisted, should, especially with high-tempered men, prompt all beings to charity and philanthropy.
February 9, 2026 at 6:06 AM
Mere self-interest, then, if no better motive can be enlisted, should, especially with high-tempered men, prompt all beings to charity and philanthropy.
"No: at present I would prefer not to make any change at all."
February 9, 2026 at 5:06 AM
"No: at present I would prefer not to make any change at all."