For it falls outThat what we have we prize not to the worthWhiles we enjoy it, but being lacked and lost,Why, then we rack the value, then we findThe virtue that possession would not show usWhile it was ours.
The quote reflects the human tendency to undervalue what we possess until it is gone. Shakespeare suggests that we often take our belongings for granted, failing to appreciate their true worth during the times we enjoy them. It’s only in their absence that we come to realize their significance and value.
This idea emphasizes the irony of our relationships with both material possessions and emotional connections. When something is lost, we tend to find its true virtue and significance, highlighting how often we overlook the worth of what we have until we no longer have it. It serves as a poignant reminder to cherish what we possess while we still can.
