--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know it is more agreeable to walk upon…" description: "\"I know it is more agreeable to walk upon carpets than to lie upon dungeon floors, I know it is pleasant to have all the comforts and luxuries of civili..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/henry-ward-beecher-175_butterfly_i-know-it-is-more-agreeable-to-walk-upon_2935523.png" --- # I know it is more agreeable to walk upon carpets than to… ![“I know it is more agreeable to walk upon carpets than to lie upon dungeon floors, I know it is pleasant to have all the comforts and luxuries of civilization; but he who cares only for these things is worth no more than a butterfly, contented and thoughtless, upon a morning flower; and who ever…” quote by Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/henry-ward-beecher-175_butterfly_i-know-it-is-more-agreeable-to-walk-upon_2935523.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/henry-ward-beecher-175_butterfly_i-know-it-is-more-agreeable-to-walk-upon_2935523.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/henry-ward-beecher-175_butterfly_i-know-it-is-more-agreeable-to-walk-upon_2935523.png) > “I know it is more agreeable to walk upon carpets than to lie upon dungeon floors, I know it is pleasant to have all the comforts and luxuries of civilization; but he who cares only for these things is worth no more than a butterfly, contented and thoughtless, upon a morning flower; and who ever thought of rearing a tombstone to a last summer's butterfly?” [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Comforts of civilization are fleeting; true worth lies beyond material comforts. **In simple terms:** Material comforts are fleeting; seek deeper purpose. Key Takeaway Value spiritual over material. Themes philosophy materialism spirituality Mood contemplative serious Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - urban life - monasticism - environmental activism - personal fulfillment Key Concepts ethical living minimalism Questions to Reflect On - What does true worth mean to you? - How can you balance comfort with spiritual growth? A Different Perspective Material comforts provide necessary stability for many. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Butterfly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/butterfly/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfort/) [Dungeons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dungeons/) [Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flower/) [Luxury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luxury/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [Summer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/summer/) ## Related quotes > [The smallest flower is a thought, a life answering to some feature of the Great Whole, of whom they have a persistent intuition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/the-smallest-flower-is-a-thought-a-life-answering-to-some-feature-of/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [She was a dark, unenduring little flower - yet he thought he detected in her some quality of spiritual reticence, of strength drawn from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/she-was-a-dark-unenduring-little-flower-yet-he-thought-he-detected-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I watched a rose-bud very long Brought on by dew and sun and shower, Waiting to see the perfect flower: Then when I thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-rossetti/i-watched-a-rose-bud-very-long-brought-on-by-dew-and-sun-and-shower/) [Christina Rossetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-rossetti/) > [“Die when I may, I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/die-when-i-may-i-want-it-said-of-me-by-those-who-knew-me-best-that-i-2/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I also want to thank Arizona citizens for their efforts at conserving energy last summer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-d-hull/i-also-want-to-thank-arizona-citizens-for-their-efforts-at-conserving/) [Jane D. 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I gave them a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/way-back-last-summer-i-asked-some-of-the-most-outstanding-educational/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [I was like the only diverse kid in my high school, and I'm half-Puerto Rican. But yeah, I have a huge family and tons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-plaza/i-was-like-the-only-diverse-kid-in-my-high-school-and-i-m-half-puerto/) [Aubrey Plaza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-plaza/) > [I wouldn't mind the early autumn if you came home today I'd tell you how much I miss you and know I'd be okay.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-woodson/i-wouldn-t-mind-the-early-autumn-if-you-came-home-today-i-d-tell-you/) [Jacqueline Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-woodson/) > [“Hey, Arnold," he said. 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Maybe I'd do tricks when we went out the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-echols/my-intention-all-along-had-been-to-get-my-wakeboarding-legs-back-this/) [Jennifer Echols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-echols/) > [“There are various reasons why an individual might habitually consume large quantities of alcohol, but they all effectively boil down to the same thing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/there-are-various-reasons-why-an-individual-might-habitually-consume/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“Then someone else appeared from the crowd, and Annabeth's vision tunneled. Percy smiled at her-that sarcastic, troublemaker's smile that had annoyed her for years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/then-someone-else-appeared-from-the-crowd-and-annabeth-s-vision/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More by Henry Ward Beecher > [Astronomers have built telescopes which can show myriads of stars unseen before; but when a man looks through a tear in his own eye,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/astronomers-have-built-telescopes-which-can-show-myriads-of-stars/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [A lie always needs a truth for a handle to it. The worst lies are those whose blade is false, but whose handle is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/a-lie-always-needs-a-truth-for-a-handle-to-it-the-worst-lies-are/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. 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It is not for want of schoolmasters that we are still ignorant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/the-best-lessons-a-man-ever-learns-are-from-his-mistakes-it-is-not/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [I never knew an early-rising, hard-working, prudent man, careful of his earnings, and strictly honest who complained of bad luck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/i-never-knew-an-early-rising-hard-working-prudent-man-careful-of-his/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [THERE are joys which long to be ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/there-are-joys-which-long-to-be-ours/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [People may talk about the equality of the sexes! They are not equal. The silent smile of a sensible, loving woman will vanquish ten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/people-may-talk-about-the-equality-of-the-sexes-they-are-not-equal/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Mirthfulness is in the mind and you cannot get it out. It is just as good in its place as conscience or veneration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/mirthfulness-is-in-the-mind-and-you-cannot-get-it-out-it-is-just-as/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Mirth is God's medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/mirth-is-god-s-medicine-everybody-ought-to-bathe-in-it/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Some of God's noblest sons, I think, will be selected from those that know how to take wealth, with all its temptations, and maintain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/some-of-god-s-noblest-sons-i-think-will-be-selected-from-those-that/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [You have seen a ship out on the bay, swinging with the tide, and seeming as if it would follow it; and yet it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/you-have-seen-a-ship-out-on-the-bay-swinging-with-the-tide-and/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) [Explore all 990 Henry Ward Beecher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) ## More Butterfly quotes > [The beginning of love is all about the butterflies, but the end of it is when you can't get out of bed in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/the-beginning-of-love-is-all-about-the-butterflies-but-the-end-of-it/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [One day I decided I would like to put a record into my system. 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A caterpillar who seeks to know himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gide/know-thyself-a-maxim-as-pernicious-as-it-is-ugly-whoever-studies/) [Andre Gide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gide/) > [When, within our souls and psyches we are made aware of a safe but insistent drum beat, repeated like butterfly wings in motion, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-meeker/when-within-our-souls-and-psyches-we-are-made-aware-of-a-safe-but/) [Mary Meeker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-meeker/) > [I just think about what I am doing on my side of the net, which requires focus. 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Mankind will surely not deny to Harold Skimpole what it concedes to the butterflies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-only-ask-to-be-free-the-butterflies-are-free-mankind-will-surely/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) [Browse all 1,033 Butterfly quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/butterfly/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I know it is more agreeable to walk upon carpets than to lie upon dungeon floors, I know it is pleasant to have all the comforts and luxuries of civilization; but he who cares only for these things is worth no more than a butterfly, contented and thoughtless, upon a morning flower; and who ever thought of rearing a tombstone to a last summer's butterfly?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henry Ward Beecher" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/i-know-it-is-more-agreeable-to-walk-upon-carpets-than-to-lie-upon/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Butterfly" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/i-know-it-is-more-agreeable-to-walk-upon-carpets-than-to-lie-upon/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/henry-ward-beecher-175_butterfly_i-know-it-is-more-agreeable-to-walk-upon_2935523.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/henry-ward-beecher-175_butterfly_i-know-it-is-more-agreeable-to-walk-upon_2935523.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae4/henry-ward-beecher-175_butterfly_i-know-it-is-more-agreeable-to-walk-upon_2935523.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I know it is more agreeable to walk upon carpets than to lie upon dungeon floors, I know it is pleasant to…” — Henry Ward Beecher", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Henry Ward Beecher", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I know it is more agreeable...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/i-know-it-is-more-agreeable-to-walk-upon-carpets-than-to-lie-upon/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/i-know-it-is-more-agreeable-to-walk-upon-carpets-than-to-lie-upon/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```