Cities Quote by Nellie Bly
“I have watched patients stand and gaze longingly toward the city they in all likelihood will never enter again. It means liberty and life; it seems so near, and yet heaven is not further from hell”
About This Quote
Source Book: Ten Days in a Mad House, Nellie Bly, 1887
She observes people yearning for a city they will never reach, symbolizing longing for freedom that feels close yet remains unattainable.
In simple terms: People long for freedom that seems near but is out of reach.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and cherish the freedoms you truly have.
Themes
longing
freedom
hope
disillusionment
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
narrative
observational
When to use this quote
- urban migration
- prisoner of war
- exile
- immigrant experience
Key Concepts
existential yearning
social observation
Questions to Reflect On
- What freedoms do you take for granted?
- How can society reduce the gap between desire and reality?
A Different Perspective
The quote romanticizes longing without addressing systemic barriers that keep people from achieving liberty.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
