Quotation by

Nathaniel Hawthorne

In our nature, however, there is a provision, alike marvelous and merciful, that the sufferer should never know the intensity of what he endures by its present torture, but chiefly by the pang that rankles after it.

Advertisement

Understanding this quote AI Analysis

Hawthorne is saying that people are naturally protected from fully feeling the worst part of their pain while it is happening. Instead, the deepest hurt comes afterward, as a lingering emotional wound that stays with the sufferer.

More by this author

All quotes by Nathaniel Hawthorne →

More quotes about Nature

See all →
It's human nature to be curious about people, and to be more curious about young people than old people. We want to cheer something on at the same time we want to tear it down. That's just so normal.
I found myself in a race with Mother Nature to play as much baseball as I could before she forced me to stop.

Advertisement

There is no gardening without humility. Nature is constantly sending even its oldest scholars to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder.
Nature says women are human beings, men have made religions to deny it. Nature says women are human beings, men cry out no!