As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
William ShakespeareRead
For it falls out That what we have we prize not to the worth Whiles we enjoy it, but being lacked and lost, Why, then we rack the value, then we find The virtue that possession would not show us While it was ours.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We often take things for granted until they are gone, realizing their true value only in their absence.
This quote reflects on the nature of human appreciation and recognition of value. It suggests that people often do not recognize the worth of what they have while enjoying it; it is only in the absence of that possession that they come to understand its true significance and virtue, prompting a deep sense of regret for not valuing it more when they had it.
Themes
ValueAppreciationLossRealizationPossession
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about gratitude, this quote can remind the audience to appreciate their loved ones.
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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