Gave Quote by Dorothy Dunnett
““He said, 'You have everything there is of me, save a little I gave to my people. Now you hold that as well.' And last of all, when he had released her and moved to the door, to stand outside where the sky was enclosed with thick hills and dark, heavy forests, he said, because he could not prevent himself, 'When next you stand by the sea, say goodbye for me.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: King Here the Castle by Dorothy Dunnett, 1975
A character acknowledges that another holds almost all of his essence, except a fragment he gave to his people, and asks for a farewell when the other returns to the sea.
In simple terms: He gives away most of himself, keeping a small piece for his people, and wants a goodbye at the sea.
Key Takeaway
Remember the parts of yourself you share and those you keep.
Themes
identity
loss
farewell
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
emotional
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- military departures
- ritual goodbyes
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
selfhood
altruism
memory
Questions to Reflect On
- What parts of yourself do you give away?
- How do you honor those you keep?
A Different Perspective
The quote may romanticize sacrifice, overlooking personal cost.
