That she belov'd knows nought that knows not this: men prize the thing ungain'd more than it is.
 William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida (1609). copy citation

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Author William Shakespeare
Source Troilus and Cressida
Topic men prize gain
Date 1609
Language English
Reference
Note Written between 1600 and 1602
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1790/pg1790-images.html

Context

“He offers in another's enterprise; But more in Troilus thousand-fold I see Than in the glass of Pandar's praise may be, Yet hold I off. Women are angels, wooing:
Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing. That she belov'd knows nought that knows not this: Men prize the thing ungain'd more than it is. That she was never yet that ever knew Love got so sweet as when desire did sue; Therefore this maxim out of love I teach: Achievement is command; ungain'd, beseech. Then though my heart's content firm love doth bear,” source

Meaning and analysis

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