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The fact is, that among his hunters at least, the whale…

“The fact is, that among his hunters at least, the whale would by all hands be considered a noble dish, were there not so much of him; but when you come to sit down before a meat-pie nearly one hundred feet long, it takes away your appetite.” quote by Herman Melville
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“The fact is, that among his hunters at least, the whale would by all hands be considered a noble dish, were there not so much of him; but when you come to sit down before a meat-pie nearly one hundred feet long, it takes away your appetite.”

Herman Melville

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Even a prized, massive catch can lose its appeal when presented in excess, illustrating how abundance can diminish desire.

In simple terms: Too much of a good thing reduces appetite.

Key Takeaway

Balance desire with moderation.

Themes

abundance desire moderation food metaphor

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • feasting events
  • marketing strategies
  • resource allocation

Key Concepts

psychology of scarcity luxury consumption satiation

Questions to Reflect On

  • When does abundance become a problem?
  • How can scarcity be used ethically?
A Different Perspective

Excess can lead to waste and loss of value.

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