--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Is not this lily pure? What fuller can…" description: "\"Is not this lily pure? What fuller can procure A white so perfect, spotless clear As in this flower doth appear?\" — Francis Quarles" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/730/francis-quarles-1740_clear_is-not-this-lily-pure-what-fuller-can-pr_3078129.png" --- # Is not this lily pure? What fuller can procure A white so… ![“Is not this lily pure? What fuller can procure A white so perfect, spotless clear As in this flower doth appear?” quote by Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/730/francis-quarles-1740_clear_is-not-this-lily-pure-what-fuller-can-pr_3078129.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/730/francis-quarles-1740_clear_is-not-this-lily-pure-what-fuller-can-pr_3078129.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/730/francis-quarles-1740_clear_is-not-this-lily-pure-what-fuller-can-pr_3078129.png) > “Is not this lily pure? What fuller can procure A white so perfect, spotless clear As in this flower doth appear?” [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poet marvels at the lily's immaculate purity, using it as a symbol of flawless beauty. **In simple terms:** Lily symbolizes perfect purity. Key Takeaway Admire natural perfection. Themes beauty purity nature Mood tranquil contemplative Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - garden design - art inspiration - spiritual reflection Key Concepts symbolism poetry metaphor Questions to Reflect On - What does purity mean to you? - How do you find beauty in imperfection? A Different Perspective Pure symbols can set unrealistic standards. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) [Clear Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear-flower-5238308/) [Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flower/) [Lilies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lilies/) [Lily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lily/) [Lily Pure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lily-pure-5238307/) [Perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfect/) [Pure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pure/) [Spotless Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spotless-clear-5238310/) [White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white/) [White Perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-perfect-5238309/) ## Related quotes > [A lily or a rose never pretends, and its beauty is that it is what it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-lily-or-a-rose-never-pretends-and-its-beauty-is-that-it-is-what-it/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [Fair as a lily, and not only the pride of life, but the desire of his eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/fair-as-a-lily-and-not-only-the-pride-of-life-but-the-desire-of-his/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [C. albus...I think the very loveliest of all the lily family - a spotless soul, plant saint, that every one must love and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/c-albus-i-think-the-very-loveliest-of-all-the-lily-family-a-spotless/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [From the sprinkled isles, Lily on lily, that o'erlace the sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/from-the-sprinkled-isles-lily-on-lily-that-o-erlace-the-sea/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [Rejoice with the day lily for it is born for a day to live by the mailbox and glorify the roadside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sexton/rejoice-with-the-day-lily-for-it-is-born-for-a-day-to-live-by-the/) [Anne Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sexton/) > [For Lily, there was only her phantom lover, bold enough, arrogant enough, crazy enough to dare follow her here when he was in far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-feehan/for-lily-there-was-only-her-phantom-lover-bold-enough-arrogant-enough/) [Christine Feehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-feehan/) > [A lily of a day Is fairer far in May, Although it fall and die that night, It was the plant and flower of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/a-lily-of-a-day-is-fairer-far-in-may-although-it-fall-and-die-that/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [Like the lily That once was mistress of the field and flourished, I'll hang my head and perish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/like-the-lily-that-once-was-mistress-of-the-field-and-flourished-i-ll/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Being around Lily Tomlin has been great, how she treats people, how she handles herself, how she goes about interpreting her character or deciding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-vaughn/being-around-lily-tomlin-has-been-great-how-she-treats-people-how-she/) [Baron Vaughn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-vaughn/) > [I wish I were the lily's leaf To fade upon that bosom warm, Content to wither, pale and brief, The trophy of thy paler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-barrett-browning/i-wish-i-were-the-lily-s-leaf-to-fade-upon-that-bosom-warm-content-to/) [Elizabeth Barrett Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-barrett-browning/) > [I've frequently been asked over the years who Lily Savage was based on and I've always answered that it was no one in particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-o-grady/i-ve-frequently-been-asked-over-the-years-who-lily-savage-was-based/) [Paul O'Grady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-o-grady/) > [My best friend is Lily Aldridge. Her daughter's my godchild.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-heatherton/my-best-friend-is-lily-aldridge-her-daughter-s-my-godchild/) [Erin Heatherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-heatherton/) > [The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,The humble sheep a threat'ning horn:While the Lily white shall in love delight,Nor a thorn nor a threat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/the-modest-rose-puts-forth-a-thorn-the-humble-sheep-a-threat-ning/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [I see a lily on thy brow, With anguish moist and fever dew; And on thy cheek a fading rose Fast withereth too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/i-see-a-lily-on-thy-brow-with-anguish-moist-and-fever-dew-and-on-thy/) [John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/) > [The wild Bee reels from bough to bough With his furry coat and his gauzy wing, Now in a lily cup, and now Setting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-wild-bee-reels-from-bough-to-bough-with-his-furry-coat-and-his/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## More by Francis Quarles > [Be neither too early in the fashion, nor too long out of it, nor too precisely in it; what custom hath civilized is become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/be-neither-too-early-in-the-fashion-nor-too-long-out-of-it-nor-too/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [The World's a Printing-House, our words, our thoughts, Our deeds, are characters of several sizes. Each soul is a Compos'tor, of whose faults The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/the-world-s-a-printing-house-our-words-our-thoughts-our-deeds-are/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [Luxury is an enticing pleasure, a bastard mirth, which hath honey in her mouth, gall in her heart, and a sting in her tail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/luxury-is-an-enticing-pleasure-a-bastard-mirth-which-hath-honey-in/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [Deliberate long before thou consecrate a friend, and when thy impartial justice concludes him worthy of thy bosom, receive him joyfully, and entertain him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/deliberate-long-before-thou-consecrate-a-friend-and-when-thy/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [What treasures here do Mammon's sons behold! Yet know that all that which glitters is not gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/what-treasures-here-do-mammon-s-sons-behold-yet-know-that-all-that/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [Meditation is the life of the soul: Action, the soul of meditation; and honor the reward of action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/meditation-is-the-life-of-the-soul-action-the-soul-of-meditation-and/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [The world is deceitful; her end is doubtful, her conclusion is horrible, her judge terrible, and her judgment is intolerable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/the-world-is-deceitful-her-end-is-doubtful-her-conclusion-is-horrible/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [I wish thee as much pleasure in the reading, as I had in the writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/i-wish-thee-as-much-pleasure-in-the-reading-as-i-had-in-the-writing/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [The suburbs of folly is vain mirth, and profuseness of laughter is the city of fools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/the-suburbs-of-folly-is-vain-mirth-and-profuseness-of-laughter-is-the/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [The fountain of beauty is the heart and every generous thought illustrates the walls of your chamber.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/the-fountain-of-beauty-is-the-heart-and-every-generous-thought/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [The strong desires of man's insatiate breast may stand possess'd Of all that earth can give; but earth can give no rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/the-strong-desires-of-man-s-insatiate-breast-may-stand-possess-d-of/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [Knowledge descries; wisdom applies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/knowledge-descries-wisdom-applies/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [In all thy actions think God sees thee; and in all His actions labor to see Him; that will make thee fear Him; this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/in-all-thy-actions-think-god-sees-thee-and-in-all-his-actions-labor/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [Rather do what is nothing to the purpose than be idle; that the devil may find thee doing. The bird that sits is easily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/rather-do-what-is-nothing-to-the-purpose-than-be-idle-that-the-devil/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) > [Read not books alone, but men, and amongst them chiefly thyself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/read-not-books-alone-but-men-and-amongst-them-chiefly-thyself/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) [Explore all 212 Francis Quarles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) ## More Clear quotes > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [I try to listen to all music with an open head, a clear head, try not to say just because I don't know it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ghostface-killah/i-try-to-listen-to-all-music-with-an-open-head-a-clear-head-try-not/) [Ghostface Killah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ghostface-killah/) > [God's Word does provide life lessons to teach us how to live. And it gives us beautiful poetry that gives voice to our human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rothschild/god-s-word-does-provide-life-lessons-to-teach-us-how-to-live-and-it/) [Jennifer Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rothschild/) > [ We have no clear ideas of the agency of \[demonic\] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of-demonic-spirits-nor-is-it/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [I've always made it clear that I do not believe that global government is either necessary or feasible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-strong/i-ve-always-made-it-clear-that-i-do-not-believe-that-global/) [Maurice Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-strong/) > [The moment it begins to question itself, the mind becomes so clear that it starts working with itself rather than with the body's identification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-katie/the-moment-it-begins-to-question-itself-the-mind-becomes-so-clear/) [Byron Katie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-katie/) > [Alec Wilkinson is a spare, clear, and lucid writer who works in stylistic simplicity with material that is not simple at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-matthiessen/alec-wilkinson-is-a-spare-clear-and-lucid-writer-who-works-in/) [Peter Matthiessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-matthiessen/) > [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) [Browse all 7,410 Clear quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Is not this lily pure? 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