--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How it is I know not; but there is no…" description: "\"How it is I know not; but there is no place like a bed for confidential disclosures between friends. Man and wife, they say, there open the very bottom..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bb/herman-melville-162_bed_how-it-is-i-know-not-but-there-is-no-pla_3071754.jpg" --- # How it is I know not; but there is no place like a bed for… ![“How it is I know not; but there is no place like a bed for confidential disclosures between friends. Man and wife, they say, there open the very bottom of their souls to each other; and some old couples often lie and chat over old times till nearly morning. Thus, then, in our hearts' honeymoon…” quote by Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bb/herman-melville-162_bed_how-it-is-i-know-not-but-there-is-no-pla_3071754.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bb/herman-melville-162_bed_how-it-is-i-know-not-but-there-is-no-pla_3071754.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bb/herman-melville-162_bed_how-it-is-i-know-not-but-there-is-no-pla_3071754.jpg) > “How it is I know not; but there is no place like a bed for confidential disclosures between friends. Man and wife, they say, there open the very bottom of their souls to each other; and some old couples often lie and chat over old times till nearly morning. Thus, then, in our hearts' honeymoon, lay I and Queequeg - a cosy, loving pair.” [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. Intimate confidences are best shared in private, especially between spouses, creating a deep bond akin to a honeymoon of the soul. **In simple terms:** Close sharing strengthens deep bonds. Key Takeaway Foster honest, private communication. Themes intimacy trust communication Mood intimate thoughtful Type advice literary When to use this quote - marriage counseling - friendship deepening - creative writing - therapeutic dialogue Key Concepts confidentiality spiritual intimacy marital bond Questions to Reflect On - What creates a safe space for sharing? - How does vulnerability deepen relationships? A Different Perspective Privacy can be hard to maintain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Couple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/couple/) [Disclosure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disclosure/) [Early morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/early-morning/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Honeymoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honeymoon/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [Old couple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-couple/) [Old times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-times/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife/) ## Related quotes > [He pressed his forehead against mine, clasped me round the waist, and said that henceforth we were married... Thus, then, in our hearts' honeymoon,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/he-pressed-his-forehead-against-mine-clasped-me-round-the-waist-and/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [I love seeing old couples, it makes me realize that actually someone can love you forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-love-seeing-old-couples-it-makes-me-realize-that-actually-someone/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“When you're in love, the world is brighter. Sunnier. The air smells flowerier, and your hair is silkier, and suddenly you find yourself smiling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-rothenberg/when-you-re-in-love-the-world-is-brighter-sunnier-the-air-smells/) [Jess Rothenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-rothenberg/) > [Old couples make you realize someone can love you forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-norvy/old-couples-make-you-realize-someone-can-love-you-forever/) [Jean Norvy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-norvy/) > [Like old couples...we fix it...instead of finding somebody new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/like-old-couples-we-fix-it-instead-of-finding-somebody-new/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Old couples who are still in love are one of the cutest things out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/old-couples-who-are-still-in-love-are-one-of-the-cutest-things-out/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Old Couples Makes You Realise Someone Can Love You Forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/old-couples-makes-you-realise-someone-can-love-you-forever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I love seeing Old Couples, it makes me believe that love can last forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-love-seeing-old-couples-it-makes-me-believe-that-love-can-last/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I love it when I see old couples in love because it makes me believe that true love exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaygee/i-love-it-when-i-see-old-couples-in-love-because-it-makes-me-believe/) [KayGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaygee/) > [I love it when I see old couples together, because it makes me believe that true love does exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-love-it-when-i-see-old-couples-together-because-it-makes-me-believe/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“There was no Disney World then, just rows of orange trees. Millions of them. Stretching for miles And somewhere near the middle was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-dorsey/there-was-no-disney-world-then-just-rows-of-orange-trees-millions-of/) [Tim Dorsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-dorsey/) > [Do you know whats really sad? The fact that you see this old couple who have been together for over 50 years and yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/autumn-kohler/do-you-know-whats-really-sad-the-fact-that-you-see-this-old-couple/) [Autumn Kohler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/autumn-kohler/) > [An old couple came running from a motorhome, scribbling as they ran. Their sign read, Can you check on our cat, Ariel? No one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/an-old-couple-came-running-from-a-motorhome-scribbling-as-they-ran/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [“Just like an old couple…I don’t see his dashing smile and green eyes anymore, I only see his fears, his rudeness, I see everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaia-b-amman/just-like-an-old-couple-i-don-t-see-his-dashing-smile-and-green-eyes/) [Gaia B. Amman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaia-b-amman/) > [To see a young couple loving each other is no wonder; but to see an old couple loving each other is the best sight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/to-see-a-young-couple-loving-each-other-is-no-wonder-but-to-see-an/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) ## More by Herman Melville > [“and man, though idiotic, and knowing not what he does, yet full of the sweet things of love and gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/and-man-though-idiotic-and-knowing-not-what-he-does-yet-full-of-the/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“But were the coming narrative to reveal in any instance, the complete abasement of poor Starbuck's fortitude, scarce might I have the heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/but-were-the-coming-narrative-to-reveal-in-any-instance-the-complete/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“(On Ralph Waldo Emerson)I love all men who dive. Any fish can swim near the surface, but it takes a great whale to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/on-ralph-waldo-emerson-i-love-all-men-who-dive-any-fish-can-swim-near/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“So seemed it to me, as I stood at her helm, and for long hours silently guided the way of this fire-ship on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/so-seemed-it-to-me-as-i-stood-at-her-helm-and-for-long-hours-silently/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“the only real owner of anything is its commander;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/the-only-real-owner-of-anything-is-its-commander/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Consider the subtleness of the sea; how its most dreaded creatures glide under water, unapparent for the most part, and treacherously hidden beneath the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/consider-the-subtleness-of-the-sea-how-its-most-dreaded-creatures/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Is it that by its indefiniteness it shadows forth the heartless voids and immensities of the universe, and thus stabs us from behind with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/is-it-that-by-its-indefiniteness-it-shadows-forth-the-heartless-voids/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Now, as I before hinted, I have no objection to any person's religion, be it what it may, so long as that person does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/now-as-i-before-hinted-i-have-no-objection-to-any-person-s-religion/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence in the children of any other land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/let-america-first-praise-mediocrity-even-in-her-children-before-she/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Only the man who says no is free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/only-the-man-who-says-no-is-free/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Beneath those stars is a universe of gliding monsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/beneath-those-stars-is-a-universe-of-gliding-monsters/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Yet this is life. For hardly have we mortals by long toilings extracted from this world's vast bulk its small but valuable sperm; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/yet-this-is-life-for-hardly-have-we-mortals-by-long-toilings/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [I never fancied broiling fowls; - though once broiled, judiciously buttered, and judgmatically salted and peppered, there is no one who will speak more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/i-never-fancied-broiling-fowls-though-once-broiled-judiciously/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [War should be carried on like a monsoon; one changeless determination of every particle towards the one unalterable aim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/war-should-be-carried-on-like-a-monsoon-one-changeless-determination/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Genius is full of trash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/genius-is-full-of-trash/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) [Explore all 1,009 Herman Melville quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## More Bed quotes > [When man of slender visits you / Nothing on earth that one can do / In well he’ll hide, or watery hole / And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-goldstein/when-man-of-slender-visits-you-nothing-on-earth-that-one-can-do-in/) [Jack Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-goldstein/) > [Your idea of fidelity is not having more than one man in bed at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-raphael/your-idea-of-fidelity-is-not-having-more-than-one-man-in-bed-at-the/) [Frederic Raphael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-raphael/) > [The beginning of love is all about the butterflies, but the end of it is when you can't get out of bed in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/the-beginning-of-love-is-all-about-the-butterflies-but-the-end-of-it/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/home-is-behind-the-world-ahead-and-there-are-many-paths-to-tread/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I wish I had as much in bed as I get in the newspapers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-ronstadt/i-wish-i-had-as-much-in-bed-as-i-get-in-the-newspapers/) [Linda Ronstadt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-ronstadt/) > [ Leave a cavity behind the \[wall\] facings, and on the inside build walls two feet thick, made of red dimension stone or burnt brick… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-vitruvius-pollio/leave-a-cavity-behind-the-wall-facings-and-on-the-inside-build-walls/) [Marcus Vitruvius Pollio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-vitruvius-pollio/) > [Why couldn't Jesus command us to obsess over everything, to try to control and manipulate people, to try not to breathe at all, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/why-couldn-t-jesus-command-us-to-obsess-over-everything-to-try-to/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“To all the secret writers, late-night painters, would-be singers, lapsed and scared artists of every stripe, dig out your paintbrush, or your flute, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-niequist/to-all-the-secret-writers-late-night-painters-would-be-singers-lapsed/) [Shauna Niequist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shauna-niequist/) > [“In the parking lot, she drove and parked in a dark area with no other cars around. She reclined her seat, and listened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tao-lin/in-the-parking-lot-she-drove-and-parked-in-a-dark-area-with-no-other/) [Tao Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tao-lin/) > [It wasn't really touching to be young; it was touching not to be young, because you had less of life left. Touching to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-macaulay/it-wasn-t-really-touching-to-be-young-it-was-touching-not-to-be-young/) [Rose Macaulay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-macaulay/) > [I have to meditate before I go to bed, always. I have to let the day go and let the eternal in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bellamy-young/i-have-to-meditate-before-i-go-to-bed-always-i-have-to-let-the-day-go/) [Bellamy Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bellamy-young/) > [Sometimes by a woodland stream he watched the water rush over the pebbled bed, its tiny modulations of bounce and flow. A woman's body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/sometimes-by-a-woodland-stream-he-watched-the-water-rush-over-the/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [I think life is full of challenges and problems. I don't believe that anyone is perfect. We all make mistakes. It's not a bed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-mansell/i-think-life-is-full-of-challenges-and-problems-i-don-t-believe-that/) [Nigel Mansell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-mansell/) > [When I saw him I thought I could curl up inside him and go to sleep and never wake up." "Men are no good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/when-i-saw-him-i-thought-i-could-curl-up-inside-him-and-go-to-sleep/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [I always wanted to be a movie star. I thought it meant being famous and having breakfast in bed. I didn't know you had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-allyson/i-always-wanted-to-be-a-movie-star-i-thought-it-meant-being-famous/) [June Allyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-allyson/) Browse all 4,159 Bed quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "How it is I know not; but there is no place like a bed for confidential disclosures between friends. Man and wife, they say, there open the very bottom of their souls to each other; and some old couples often lie and chat over old times till nearly morning. 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