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First love Quote by Herman Melville

“Signs and wonders, eh? Pity if there is nothing wonderful in signs, and significant in wonders! There's a clue somewhere; wait a bit; hist--hark! By Jove, I have it! Look, you Doubloon, your zodiac here is the life of man in one round chapter; and now I'll read it off, straight out of the book…” quote by Herman Melville
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““Signs and wonders, eh? Pity if there is nothing wonderful in signs, and significant in wonders! There's a clue somewhere; wait a bit; hist--hark! By Jove, I have it! Look, you Doubloon, your zodiac here is the life of man in one round chapter; and now I'll read it off, straight out of the book. Come, Almanack! To begin: there's Aries, or the Ram--lecherous dog, he begets us; then, Taurus, or the Bull--he bumps us the first thing; then Gemini, or the Twins--that is, Virtue and Vice; we try to reach Virtue, when lo! comes Cancer the Crab, and drags us back; and here, going from Virtue, Leo, a roaring Lion, lies in the path--he gives a few fierce bites and surly dabs with his paw; we escape, and hail Virgo, the Virgin! that's our first love; we marry and think to be happy for aye, when pop comes Libra, or Scales--happiness weighed and found wanting; and while we are very sad about that, Lord! how we suddenly jump, as Scorpio, or the Scorpion, stings us in rear; we are curing the wound, when whang comes the arrows all round; Sagittarius, or the Archer, is amusing himself. As we pluck out the shafts, stand aside! here's the battering-ram, Capricornus, or the Goat; full tilt, he comes rushing and headlong we are tossed; when Aquarius, or the the Waterbearer, pours out his whole deluge and drowns us; and, to wind up, with Pisces, or the Fishes, we sleep. There's a sermon now, writ in high heaven, and the sun goes through it every year, and yet comes out of it all alive and hearty.””

Herman Melville

About This Quote

Source Book: Moby-Dick by Herman Melville, 1851

The passage uses zodiac symbols as an allegory for life's cyclical challenges and moral choices, suggesting that each sign represents a test or lesson on the human journey.

In simple terms: Zodiac signs symbolize life's ups and downs and moral tests.

Key Takeaway

Recognize patterns, learn from each phase.

Themes

life growth astrology human nature philosophy

Mood

reflective thoughtful inquisitive

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal development
  • decision making
  • spiritual reflection
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

Allegory symbolism mythology

Practical Applications

  • Literature
  • mythological storytelling

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you see your own life reflected in these zodiac stages?
  • What lessons can you draw from the recurring cycles?
A Different Perspective

The zodiac analogy may oversimplify complex experiences and ignore individual agency.

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