--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ah, but, dear North Wind, you don't know…" description: "\"“Ah, but, dear North Wind, you don't know how nice it is to feel your arms about me. It is a thousand times better to have them and the wind together, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/george-macdonald-295_better-things_ah-but-dear-north-wind-you-don-t-know-ho_294722.jpg" --- # Ah, but, dear North Wind, you don't know how nice it is to… ![“Ah, but, dear North Wind, you don't know how nice it is to feel your arms about me. It is a thousand times better to have them and the wind together, than to have only your hair and the back of your neck and no wind at all." "But it is surely more comfortable there?" "Well, perhaps; but I begin to…” quote by George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/george-macdonald-295_better-things_ah-but-dear-north-wind-you-don-t-know-ho_294722.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/george-macdonald-295_better-things_ah-but-dear-north-wind-you-don-t-know-ho_294722.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/george-macdonald-295_better-things_ah-but-dear-north-wind-you-don-t-know-ho_294722.jpg) > ““Ah, but, dear North Wind, you don't know how nice it is to feel your arms about me. It is a thousand times better to have them and the wind together, than to have only your hair and the back of your neck and no wind at all." "But it is surely more comfortable there?" "Well, perhaps; but I begin to think there are better things than being comfortable." "Yes, indeed there are. Well, I will keep you in front of me. You will feel the wind, but not too much. I shall only want one arm to take care of you; the other will be quite enough to sink the ship." "Oh, dear North Wind! how can you talk so?" "My dear boy, I never talk; I always mean what I say." "Then you do mean to sink the ship with the other hand?" "Yes." "It's not like you." "How do you know that?" "Quite easily. Here you are taking care of a poor little boy with one arm, and there you are sinking a ship with the other. It can't be like you." "Ah! but which is me? I can't be two mes, you know." "No. Nobody can be two mes." "Well, which me is me?" "Now I must think. There looks to be two." "Yes. That's the very point.—You can't be knowing the thing you don't know, can you?" "No." "Which me do you know?" "The kindest, goodest, best me in the world," answered Diamond, clinging to North Wind. "Why am I good to you?" "I don't know." "Have you ever done anything for me?" "No." "Then I must be good to you because I choose to be good to you." "Yes." "Why should I choose?" "Because—because—because you like." "Why should I like to be good to you?" "I don't know, except it be because it's good to be good to me." "That's just it; I am good to you because I like to be good." "Then why shouldn't you be good to other people as well as to me?" "That's just what I don't know. Why shouldn't I?" "I don't know either. Then why shouldn't you?" "Because I am." "There it is again," said Diamond. "I don't see that you are. It looks quite the other thing." "Well, but listen to me, Diamond. You know the one me, you say, and that is good." "Yes." "Do you know the other me as well?" "No. I can't. I shouldn't like to." "There it is. You don't know the other me. You are sure of one of them?" "Yes." "And you are sure there can't be two mes?" "Yes." "Then the me you don't know must be the same as the me you do know,—else there would be two mes?" "Yes." "Then the other me you don't know must be as kind as the me you do know?" "Yes." "Besides, I tell you that it is so, only it doesn't look like it. That I confess freely. Have you anything more to object?" "No, no, dear North Wind; I am quite satisfied.”” [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The dialogue explores the tension between comfort and moral responsibility, urging one to choose good deeds over ease. **In simple terms:** Choosing good over comfort is vital. Key Takeaway Act with kindness despite discomfort. Themes morality comfort choice self‑sacrifice identity Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - parenting - leadership - personal ethics - conflict resolution - spiritual growth Key Concepts Ethical decision‑making self‑knowledge Questions to Reflect On - When have you chosen duty over ease? - What does “good” mean to you? A Different Perspective Comfort can be a tempting excuse to avoid responsibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-things/) [North wind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/north-wind/) ## Related quotes > [“Words are wind, and the only good wind is that which fills our sails.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/words-are-wind-and-the-only-good-wind-is-that-which-fills-our-sails/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [Ah, only he who knows where he sails, knows what wind is good, and a fair wind for him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/ah-only-he-who-knows-where-he-sails-knows-what-wind-is-good-and-a/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“How kind you are, North Wind!' 'I am only just. All kindness is but justice. We owe it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/how-kind-you-are-north-wind-i-am-only-just-all-kindness-is-but/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“There are not many people who can think about beautiful things and do common work at the same time. But then there are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/there-are-not-many-people-who-can-think-about-beautiful-things-and-do/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [...though I cannot promise to take you home," said North Wind, as she sank nearer and nearer to the tops of the houses, "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/though-i-cannot-promise-to-take-you-home-said-north-wind-as-she-sank/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [With you a part of me hath passed away; For in the peopled forest of my mind A tree made leafless by this wintry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/with-you-a-part-of-me-hath-passed-away-for-in-the-peopled-forest-of/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [“For you have sown the wind, and you shall reap the whirlwind”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-aterovis/for-you-have-sown-the-wind-and-you-shall-reap-the-whirlwind/) Josh Aterovis > [“Solomon saith, 'He that considereth the wind, shall not sow, and he that looketh to the clouds, shall not reap.' A wise man will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/solomon-saith-he-that-considereth-the-wind-shall-not-sow-and-he-that/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/for-thus-saith-the-lord-ye-shall-not-see-wind-neither-shall-ye-see/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [“have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.’ ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/have-sown-the-wind-and-they-shall-reap-the-whirlwind/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [Who waits until the wind shall silent keep, Will never find the ready hour to sow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/who-waits-until-the-wind-shall-silent-keep-will-never-find-the-ready/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [And like a wind shall I one day blow amongst them and with my spirit take away their soul's breath: thus my future wills…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/and-like-a-wind-shall-i-one-day-blow-amongst-them-and-with-my-spirit/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Your breath upon the wind shall surely lodge within some breast. 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She sweeps across the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/the-region-belonging-to-the-pure-intellect-is-straitened-the/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Come, then, affliction, if my Father wills, and be my frowning friend. 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No, I don't That would be to take it from somebody else. But it's mine for all… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/i-wish-i-had-made-that-song-no-i-don-t-that-would-be-to-take-it-from/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Past tears are present strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/past-tears-are-present-strength/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Age is not all decay; it is the ripening, the swelling, of the fresh life within, that withers and bursts the husk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/age-is-not-all-decay-it-is-the-ripening-the-swelling-of-the-fresh/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [I want to help you grow as beautiful as God meant you to be when he thought of you first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/i-want-to-help-you-grow-as-beautiful-as-god-meant-you-to-be-when-he/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“Immeasurably imperfect it was, but false the impression could not be, for she saw with the eyes made for seeing, and saw indeed what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/immeasurably-imperfect-it-was-but-false-the-impression-could-not-be/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Those that hope little cannot grow much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/those-that-hope-little-cannot-grow-much/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) [Explore all 720 George MacDonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) ## More Better things quotes > [I won't be tweeting this sunday. I have better things to do like bashing myself by following girls on streets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/i-won-t-be-tweeting-this-sunday-i-have-better-things-to-do-like/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [Sometimes you have to let things go so theres room for better things to come into your life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-you-have-to-let-things-go-so-theres-room-for-better-things/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For now, I'm supposing that all movements are equal, which they're not, except in this respect: that none of them gives a damn about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilfrid-sheed/for-now-i-m-supposing-that-all-movements-are-equal-which-they-re-not/) [Wilfrid Sheed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilfrid-sheed/) > [“Oh, nothing. Only you really did help them, you know.” “Who?” “All the men who’ve come through this House. You helped them find their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helene-wecker/oh-nothing-only-you-really-did-help-them-you-know-who-all-the-men-who/) [Helene Wecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helene-wecker/) > [“Have fun in everything you do. Challenge yourself to bigger and better things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/have-fun-in-everything-you-do-challenge-yourself-to-bigger-and-better/) [Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/) > [Good things come to those who wait, Better things come to those who try.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/good-things-come-to-those-who-wait-better-things-come-to-those-who-try/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [“Jay got up and walked to the trash to scrape off his plate, but when the trash can popped open, he stopped and reached…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-dell-antonia/jay-got-up-and-walked-to-the-trash-to-scrape-off-his-plate-but-when/) K.J. Dell'Antonia > [Yes?' Joe Solomon sounded like someone with far better things to do. 'Is there any homework?' she asked, and the class turned instantly from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/yes-joe-solomon-sounded-like-someone-with-far-better-things-to-do-is/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [Believe me, I have better things to do than sabotage your friendships. No one else's world revolves around you, Cassandra." -Paige to Cassandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/believe-me-i-have-better-things-to-do-than-sabotage-your-friendships/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [Prayers go up, blessings pour down!! God always makes a way for better things to happen, feeling blessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/prayers-go-up-blessings-pour-down-god-always-makes-a-way-for-better/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Even better things are thrown off , when expected comfortableness is not acquired Painful truth is that things are replaced by hearted humans too ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iquote/even-better-things-are-thrown-off-when-expected-comfortableness-is/) [Iquote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iquote/) > [To really enjoy the better things in life, one must first have experienced the things they are better than.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oskar-homolka/to-really-enjoy-the-better-things-in-life-one-must-first-have/) Oskar Homolka > [...If our houses, or clothes, our household furniture and utensils are not works of art, they are either wretched makeshifts, or, what is worse,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-morris/if-our-houses-or-clothes-our-household-furniture-and-utensils-are-not/) [William Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-morris/) > [You always need a bit of low-tech.You always need a pair of scissors, it seems to me. You can do better things… The high-tech,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hockney/you-always-need-a-bit-of-low-tech-you-always-need-a-pair-of-scissors/) [David Hockney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hockney/) > [“There are always far better things ahead than what we will leave behind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-vonada/there-are-always-far-better-things-ahead-than-what-we-will-leave/) [Chris Vonada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-vonada/) [Browse all 442 Better things quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-things/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Ah, but, dear North Wind, you don't know how nice it is to feel your arms about me. It is a thousand times better to have them and the wind together, than to have only your hair and the back of your neck and no wind at all.\" \"But it is surely more comfortable there?\" \"Well, perhaps; but I begin to think there are better things than being comfortable.\" \"Yes, indeed there are. Well, I will keep you in front of me. You will feel the wind, but not too much. I shall only want one arm to take care of you; the other will be quite enough to sink the ship.\" \"Oh, dear North Wind! how can you talk so?\" \"My dear boy, I never talk; I always mean what I say.\" \"Then you do mean to sink the ship with the other hand?\" \"Yes.\" \"It's not like you.\" \"How do you know that?\" \"Quite easily. Here you are taking care of a poor little boy with one arm, and there you are sinking a ship with the other. It can't be like you.\" \"Ah! but which is me? I can't be two mes, you know.\" \"No. Nobody can be two mes.\" \"Well, which me is me?\" \"Now I must think. There looks to be two.\" \"Yes. That's the very point.—You can't be knowing the thing you don't know, can you?\" \"No.\" \"Which me do you know?\" \"The kindest, goodest, best me in the world,\" answered Diamond, clinging to North Wind. \"Why am I good to you?\" \"I don't know.\" \"Have you ever done anything for me?\" \"No.\" \"Then I must be good to you because I choose to be good to you.\" \"Yes.\" \"Why should I choose?\" \"Because—because—because you like.\" \"Why should I like to be good to you?\" \"I don't know, except it be because it's good to be good to me.\" \"That's just it; I am good to you because I like to be good.\" \"Then why shouldn't you be good to other people as well as to me?\" \"That's just what I don't know. Why shouldn't I?\" \"I don't know either. Then why shouldn't you?\" \"Because I am.\" \"There it is again,\" said Diamond. \"I don't see that you are. It looks quite the other thing.\" \"Well, but listen to me, Diamond. You know the one me, you say, and that is good.\" \"Yes.\" \"Do you know the other me as well?\" \"No. I can't. I shouldn't like to.\" \"There it is. You don't know the other me. You are sure of one of them?\" \"Yes.\" \"And you are sure there can't be two mes?\" \"Yes.\" \"Then the me you don't know must be the same as the me you do know,—else there would be two mes?\" \"Yes.\" \"Then the other me you don't know must be as kind as the me you do know?\" \"Yes.\" \"Besides, I tell you that it is so, only it doesn't look like it. That I confess freely. 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