---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: like a pathway through a forest, like a…"
description: "\"“like a pathway through a forest, like a carpet for royalty, it shows me the way”\" — Margaret Atwood"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/margaret-atwood-40_quote_like-a-pathway-through-a-forest-like-a-c_2000495.jpg"
---

#  like a pathway through a forest, like a carpet for…

![“like a pathway through a forest, like a carpet for royalty, it shows me the way” quote by Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/margaret-atwood-40_quote_like-a-pathway-through-a-forest-like-a-c_2000495.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/margaret-atwood-40_quote_like-a-pathway-through-a-forest-like-a-c_2000495.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/margaret-atwood-40_quote_like-a-pathway-through-a-forest-like-a-c_2000495.jpg)

> ““like a pathway through a forest, like a carpet for royalty, it shows me the way””

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

## About This Quote

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

A metaphorical path likened to a forest trail and a royal carpet, guiding the speaker.

**In simple terms:** A poetic guide compares nature and luxury to show direction.

Key Takeaway

Seek guidance in both humble and grand symbols.

Themes

metaphor guidance nature luxury

Mood

contemplative inspirational

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

- writing
- creative thinking
- personal growth

Key Concepts

symbolism journey

Questions to Reflect On

- What does the “carpet for royalty” symbolize for you?
- How does the forest imagery affect your sense of direction?

A Different Perspective

Interpretations may differ; metaphor can be ambiguous.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Carpet Royalty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/carpet-royalty-3516352/) [Like Carpet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-carpet-1808283/) [Like Pathway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-pathway-3516353/) [Pathway Forest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pathway-forest-3516354/) [Shows Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows-way-269625/)

## Related quotes

> [To treat a person like a carpet, it is necessary that one do the walking, and one allow himself to be walked on. --Shin'a'in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-lackey/to-treat-a-person-like-a-carpet-it-is-necessary-that-one-do-the/)

[Mercedes Lackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-lackey/)

> [CLARE: The library is cool and smells like carpet cleaner, although all I can see is marble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-niffenegger/clare-the-library-is-cool-and-smells-like-carpet-cleaner-although-all/)

[Audrey Niffenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-niffenegger/)

> [“I’m getting gray hair in all sorts of crazy places. Like all over my carpet. It’s like I live in a nursing home, except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-m-getting-gray-hair-in-all-sorts-of-crazy-places-like-all-over-my/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [I keep it fresh like some carpet powder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-dash/i-keep-it-fresh-like-some-carpet-powder/)

[C-DASH](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-dash/)

> [“You like vodka, and I like carpet cleaner. You should try it. It’ll put hair on your chest—really clean hair. Grandpa said it would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/you-like-vodka-and-i-like-carpet-cleaner-you-should-try-it-it-ll-put/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“The purpose of art is to give the traveling human race an improved map that shows the way to itself. If art isn't for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-saroyan/the-purpose-of-art-is-to-give-the-traveling-human-race-an-improved/)

[William Saroyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-saroyan/)

> [A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-leader-is-one-who-knows-the-way-goes-the-way-and-shows-the-way/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [My shows are not all-the-way filthy, but they can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/my-shows-are-not-all-the-way-filthy-but-they-can-be/)

[Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/)

> [The way we respond to things shows who we are and what we are. The way to see who or what someone is, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigz/the-way-we-respond-to-things-shows-who-we-are-and-what-we-are-the-way/)

[Sigz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigz/)

> [“... life may be compared to a piece of embroidery, of which, during the first half of his time, a man gets a sight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/life-may-be-compared-to-a-piece-of-embroidery-of-which-during-the/)

[Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/)

> [Failure shows us the way - by showing us what isn't the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/failure-shows-us-the-way-by-showing-us-what-isn-t-the-way/)

[Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/)

> [My experience in TV is that it takes time for shows to find their way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-kroll/my-experience-in-tv-is-that-it-takes-time-for-shows-to-find-their-way/)

[Nick Kroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-kroll/)

> [A good teacher not only knows the way but shows the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-good-teacher-not-only-knows-the-way-but-shows-the-way/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Imperfection shows you the way, Each mistake helps you grow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santonu-kumar-dhar/imperfection-shows-you-the-way-each-mistake-helps-you-grow/)

[Santonu Kumar Dhar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santonu-kumar-dhar/)

> [“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” -John C. Maxwell”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-leader-is-one-who-knows-the-way-goes-the-way-and-shows-the-way-john/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

## More by Margaret Atwood

> [“I'm fine," said Pilar, "for the moment. And the moment is the only time we can be fine in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-m-fine-said-pilar-for-the-moment-and-the-moment-is-the-only-time-we/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [And yet it disturbs me to learn I have hurt someone unintentionally. I want all my hurts to be intentional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/and-yet-it-disturbs-me-to-learn-i-have-hurt-someone-unintentionally-i/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [“Mary: Some call this "Eve's curse," but I think that is stupid because the real curse of Eve was having to put up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/mary-some-call-this-eve-s-curse-but-i-think-that-is-stupid-because/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [“The birds were singing around me, but I reflected that the very birds were strangers to me, for I did not even know their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-birds-were-singing-around-me-but-i-reflected-that-the-very-birds/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [“Strange how we decorate pain. These ribbons, for instance, and the small hard teardrops of blood. Who are they for? Do we think the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/strange-how-we-decorate-pain-these-ribbons-for-instance-and-the-small/)

[margaret atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [I wanted to forget the past, but it refused to forget me; it waited for sleep, then cornered me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-wanted-to-forget-the-past-but-it-refused-to-forget-me-it-waited-for/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [“Back at home they drew the curtains and read, with disapproval, with relish, with avidity and glee - even the ones who'd never thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/back-at-home-they-drew-the-curtains-and-read-with-disapproval-with/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [“It's my fault. I am forgetting too much.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/it-s-my-fault-i-am-forgetting-too-much/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [All fiction is about people, unless it's about rabbits pretending to be people. It's all essentially characters in action, which means characters moving through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/all-fiction-is-about-people-unless-it-s-about-rabbits-pretending-to/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [“Simon walks back to the house alone. The night is clear and warm, with a moon, almost full, enclosed in a nimbus of mist;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/simon-walks-back-to-the-house-alone-the-night-is-clear-and-warm-with/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [“There is indeed something delightful about being able to combine obedience and disobedience in the same act.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/there-is-indeed-something-delightful-about-being-able-to-combine/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [“Every time the women appear, Snowman is astonished all over again. They're every known colour from the deepest black to whitest white, they're various…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/every-time-the-women-appear-snowman-is-astonished-all-over-again-they/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [Once you publish a book, it is out of your control. You cannot dictate how people read it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/once-you-publish-a-book-it-is-out-of-your-control-you-cannot-dictate/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [“The more difficult it was to love the particular man beside us, the more we believed in Love, abstract and total. We were waiting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-more-difficult-it-was-to-love-the-particular-man-beside-us-the/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

> [“She knows she's deceiving herself about that, but she prefers to deceive herself. She desperately needs to believe such pure joy is still possible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/she-knows-she-s-deceiving-herself-about-that-but-she-prefers-to/)

[Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

[Explore all 2,072 Margaret Atwood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/)

## More Shows Way quotes

> [“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” -John C. Maxwell”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-leader-is-one-who-knows-the-way-goes-the-way-and-shows-the-way-john/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [“Imperfection shows you the way, Each mistake helps you grow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santonu-kumar-dhar/imperfection-shows-you-the-way-each-mistake-helps-you-grow/)

[Santonu Kumar Dhar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santonu-kumar-dhar/)

> [A good teacher not only knows the way but shows the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-good-teacher-not-only-knows-the-way-but-shows-the-way/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [My experience in TV is that it takes time for shows to find their way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-kroll/my-experience-in-tv-is-that-it-takes-time-for-shows-to-find-their-way/)

[Nick Kroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-kroll/)

> [Failure shows us the way - by showing us what isn't the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/failure-shows-us-the-way-by-showing-us-what-isn-t-the-way/)

[Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/)

> [“... life may be compared to a piece of embroidery, of which, during the first half of his time, a man gets a sight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/life-may-be-compared-to-a-piece-of-embroidery-of-which-during-the/)

[Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/)

> [The way we respond to things shows who we are and what we are. The way to see who or what someone is, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigz/the-way-we-respond-to-things-shows-who-we-are-and-what-we-are-the-way/)

[Sigz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigz/)

> [My shows are not all-the-way filthy, but they can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/my-shows-are-not-all-the-way-filthy-but-they-can-be/)

[Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/)

> [A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-leader-is-one-who-knows-the-way-goes-the-way-and-shows-the-way/)

[John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/)

> [“The purpose of art is to give the traveling human race an improved map that shows the way to itself. If art isn't for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-saroyan/the-purpose-of-art-is-to-give-the-traveling-human-race-an-improved/)

[William Saroyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-saroyan/)

> [As a modern woman, there are things I take for granted, and that shows up in the way I sit, the way I walk,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-toussaint/as-a-modern-woman-there-are-things-i-take-for-granted-and-that-shows/)

[Lorraine Toussaint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-toussaint/)

> [“People walk arm in arm; when icy cold shows them the way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-kristian-goldmund-aumann/people-walk-arm-in-arm-when-icy-cold-shows-them-the-way/)

[sir kristian goldmund aumann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-kristian-goldmund-aumann/)

> [A leader has been defined as one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-leader-has-been-defined-as-one-who-knows-the-way-goes-the-way-and/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Straw shows which way the wind is blowing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/straw-shows-which-way-the-wind-is-blowing/)

[Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/)

> [A Father Is Neither An Anchor To Hold Us Back Nor A Sail To Take Us There But A Guiding Light Whose Love Shows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-father-is-neither-an-anchor-to-hold-us-back-nor-a-sail-to-take-us/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Browse all 17 Shows Way quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows-way-269625/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“like a pathway through a forest, like a carpet for royalty, it shows me the way”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Margaret Atwood"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/like-a-pathway-through-a-forest-like-a-carpet-for-royalty-it-shows-me/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Shows Way"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/like-a-pathway-through-a-forest-like-a-carpet-for-royalty-it-shows-me/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/margaret-atwood-40_quote_like-a-pathway-through-a-forest-like-a-c_2000495.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/margaret-atwood-40_quote_like-a-pathway-through-a-forest-like-a-c_2000495.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c7/margaret-atwood-40_quote_like-a-pathway-through-a-forest-like-a-c_2000495.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“like a pathway through a forest, like a carpet for royalty, it shows me the way” — Margaret Atwood",
                "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": "Margaret Atwood",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“like a pathway through a forest,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/like-a-pathway-through-a-forest-like-a-carpet-for-royalty-it-shows-me/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/like-a-pathway-through-a-forest-like-a-carpet-for-royalty-it-shows-me/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
