Skip to content

As for butterflies, I can hardly conceive of one's…

“As for butterflies, I can hardly conceive of one's attending upon you; but to question the congruence of the complement is vain, if it exists.” quote by Marianne Moore
Download Open image
“As for butterflies, I can hardly conceive of one's attending upon you; but to question the congruence of the complement is vain, if it exists.”

Marianne Moore

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker finds it impossible to grasp the nature of a fleeting, delicate encounter, questioning its relevance.

In simple terms: Hard to understand brief, delicate moments.

Key Takeaway

Accept mystery of fleeting encounters.

Themes

ephemerality perception philosophy

Mood

reflective curious

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • first love
  • brief friendships
  • transient art
  • unexpected meetings

Key Concepts

existentialism aesthetics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What can we learn from brief moments?
  • How do we value fleeting beauty?
A Different Perspective

May overcomplicate simple experiences.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Marianne Moore

Explore all 134 Marianne Moore quotes

More Attending quotes

Browse all 223 Attending quotes