"But when he was helped to the deck, all eyes were fastened upon him; as instead of standing by himself he still half-hung upon the shoulder of Starbuck, who had thus far been the foremost to assist him. His ivory leg had been snapped off, leaving but one short sharp splinter.
"Aye, aye, Starbuck, 'tis sweet to lean sometimes, be the leaner who he will; and would old Ahab had leaned oftener than he has."
Musing: Oh, these lines from Ahab hurt me. Ahab's ship was not torn to pieces like it was the day before. This day finds the white whale coming from beneath the small boat, hurling it into the air, and letting it hit the sea while all the men spill out into the water. Ahab breaks his leg off in the process. But imagine Ahab - the monomaniacal Ahab, saying the words to Starbuck that he should have leaned on people more often than he has. Is it ever too late to learn?