--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Now, if you notice how the swan, putting…" description: "\"Now, if you notice how the swan, putting its neck down into the deep water, brings up food for itself from below, then you will discover the wisdom of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/saint-basil-4281_creator_now-if-you-notice-how-the-swan-putting-i_1371385.png" --- # Now, if you notice how the swan, putting its neck down… ![“Now, if you notice how the swan, putting its neck down into the deep water, brings up food for itself from below, then you will discover the wisdom of the Creator, in that He gave it a neck longer than its feet for this reason, that it might, as if lowering a sort of fishing line, procure the food…” quote by Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/saint-basil-4281_creator_now-if-you-notice-how-the-swan-putting-i_1371385.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/saint-basil-4281_creator_now-if-you-notice-how-the-swan-putting-i_1371385.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/saint-basil-4281_creator_now-if-you-notice-how-the-swan-putting-i_1371385.png) > “Now, if you notice how the swan, putting its neck down into the deep water, brings up food for itself from below, then you will discover the wisdom of the Creator, in that He gave it a neck longer than its feet for this reason, that it might, as if lowering a sort of fishing line, procure the food hidden in the deep water.” [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Uses the swan’s long neck as a metaphor for divine design, showing that unique features enable access to hidden nourishment. **In simple terms:** God gives special gifts to reach what’s unseen. Key Takeaway Recognize and use your unique abilities. Themes creation wisdom divine design Mood reverent inspired thoughtful Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - problem solving - spiritual reflection - creative pursuits Key Concepts metaphor spiritual insight natural adaptation Questions to Reflect On - How do your talents help you uncover hidden opportunities? - What gifts do you need to develop further? A Different Perspective May overlook practical limits of metaphor. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creator/) [Deep water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deep-water/) [Fishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fishing/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [Notes for a ballet, The Spell: ... Suddenly Sigmund hears the flutter of wings, and a group of wild swans flies across the moon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/notes-for-a-ballet-the-spell-suddenly-sigmund-hears-the-flutter-of/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [Remember that you are a Black Swan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nassim-nicholas-taleb/remember-that-you-are-a-black-swan/) [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nassim-nicholas-taleb/) > [In the story of Ugly Duckling, when did the Ugly Duckling stop feeling Ugly? When he realized that he was a Swan. Each of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/in-the-story-of-ugly-duckling-when-did-the-ugly-duckling-stop-feeling/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Get my swan costume ready.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-pavlova/get-my-swan-costume-ready/) [Anna Pavlova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-pavlova/) > [I had seen the ballet of 'Swan Lake' as a child but it was as an adult, when I saw a production featuring Erik…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-dean-myers/i-had-seen-the-ballet-of-swan-lake-as-a-child-but-it-was-as-an-adult/) [Walter Dean Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-dean-myers/) > [Who may be called a paramahamsa? He who, like a swan, can take the milk from a mixture of milk and water, leaving aside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramakrishna/who-may-be-called-a-paramahamsa-he-who-like-a-swan-can-take-the-milk/) [Ramakrishna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramakrishna/) > [The swan, like the soul of the poet, By the dull world is ill understood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/the-swan-like-the-soul-of-the-poet-by-the-dull-world-is-ill-understood/) [Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/) > [I've actually rented Bjork's swan dress. I know that's kind of recycling, but I saw An Inconvenient Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainn-wilson/i-ve-actually-rented-bjork-s-swan-dress-i-know-that-s-kind-of/) [Rainn Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainn-wilson/) > [“Every lake belongs to the quietness desired by the swans.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munia-khan/every-lake-belongs-to-the-quietness-desired-by-the-swans/) [Munia Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munia-khan/) > ['Swan,' by Mary Oliver. Poems and prose. Reading from this book is as if visiting a very wise friend. There is wisdom and welcoming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/swan-by-mary-oliver-poems-and-prose-reading-from-this-book-is-as-if/) [Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/) > [Hear the music, the thunder of the wings. Love the wild swan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robinson-jeffers/hear-the-music-the-thunder-of-the-wings-love-the-wild-swan/) [Robinson Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robinson-jeffers/) > [The swan murmurs sweet strains with a flattering tongue, itself the singer of its own dirge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martial/the-swan-murmurs-sweet-strains-with-a-flattering-tongue-itself-the/) [Martial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martial/) > [This ugly duckling investment will likely need time - quarters, or even years - to blossom into a beautiful swan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/this-ugly-duckling-investment-will-likely-need-time-quarters-or-even/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Were I a nightingale, I would act the part of a nightingale; were I a swan, the part of a swan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/were-i-a-nightingale-i-would-act-the-part-of-a-nightingale-were-i-a/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Let beeves and home-bred kine partake The sweets of Burn-mill meadow; The swan on still St. Mary's Lake Float double, swan and shadow!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/let-beeves-and-home-bred-kine-partake-the-sweets-of-burn-mill-meadow/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) ## More by Saint Basil > [Truly unexpected tidings make both ears tingle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/truly-unexpected-tidings-make-both-ears-tingle/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Just as we would have no need of the farmer's labor and toil if we were living amid the delights of paradise, so also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/just-as-we-would-have-no-need-of-the-farmer-s-labor-and-toil-if-we/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Men whose sense of taste is destroyed by sickness, sometimes think honey sour. A diseased eye does not see many things which do exist,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/men-whose-sense-of-taste-is-destroyed-by-sickness-sometimes-think/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Good masters teach good doctrine, but that taught by evil masters is wholly evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/good-masters-teach-good-doctrine-but-that-taught-by-evil-masters-is/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [They who sow courtesy reap friendship, and they who plant kindness gather love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/they-who-sow-courtesy-reap-friendship-and-they-who-plant-kindness/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [It is impious to say that evil has its origin from God, because naught contrary is produced by the contrary. Life does not generate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/it-is-impious-to-say-that-evil-has-its-origin-from-god-because-naught/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Do not measure your loss by itself; if you do, it will seem intolerable; but if you will take all human affairs into account…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/do-not-measure-your-loss-by-itself-if-you-do-it-will-seem-intolerable/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/a-tree-is-known-by-its-fruit-a-man-by-his-deeds-a-good-deed-is-never/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [\[Every disappointment or misfortune can become a blessing in disguise, for which we should be grateful. But only if the hidden blessing is anticipated,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/every-disappointment-or-misfortune-can-become-a-blessing-in-disguise/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [We should not accept in silence the benefactions of God, but return thanks for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/we-should-not-accept-in-silence-the-benefactions-of-god-but-return/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [Any one who chooses will set up for a literary critic, though he cannot tell us where he went to school, or how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/any-one-who-chooses-will-set-up-for-a-literary-critic-though-he/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [A woman who deliberately destroys a fetus is answerable for murder. And any fine distinction as to its being completely formed or unformed is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/a-woman-who-deliberately-destroys-a-fetus-is-answerable-for-murder/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [The sun penetrates crystal and makes it more dazzling. In the same way, the sanctifying Spirit indwells in souls and makes them more radiant.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/the-sun-penetrates-crystal-and-makes-it-more-dazzling-in-the-same-way/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [If everyone would take only according to his needs and would leave the surplus to the needy, no one would be rich, no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/if-everyone-would-take-only-according-to-his-needs-and-would-leave/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) > [We need not only read Sacred Scripture, but learn it as well and grow up in it. Realize that nothing is written in Scripture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/we-need-not-only-read-sacred-scripture-but-learn-it-as-well-and-grow/) [Saint Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) [Explore all 113 Saint Basil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/) ## More Creator quotes > [It seems an insult to nature and to the Creator to imagine that pregnancy was ever intended to be a sickness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliza-bisbee-duffey/it-seems-an-insult-to-nature-and-to-the-creator-to-imagine-that/) Eliza Bisbee Duffey > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [The creator of the universe works in mysterious ways. But he uses a base ten counting system and likes round numbers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adams/the-creator-of-the-universe-works-in-mysterious-ways-but-he-uses-a/) [Scott Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adams/) > [Education, for most people, means trying to lead the child to resemble the typical adult of his society . . . but for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-piaget/education-for-most-people-means-trying-to-lead-the-child-to-resemble/) [Jean Piaget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-piaget/) > [Like many other scientists who hold the Catholic faith, I see the Creator's plan and purpose fulfilled in our universe. I see a planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-r-miller/like-many-other-scientists-who-hold-the-catholic-faith-i-see-the/) [Kenneth R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-r-miller/) > [every being is unique.god neva creates carbon copies,he alys creates originals.he is truly a creator.he neva repeats.but man goes on living in imitation.we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-being-is-unique-god-neva-creates-carbon-copies-he-alys-creates/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Creativity finds its own creator.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/girish-kohli/creativity-finds-its-own-creator/) [Girish Kohli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/girish-kohli/) > [From the 1990s onward, the financial sector created a vast array of instruments designed to separate investors from their money, financial derivatives of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-l-casti/from-the-1990s-onward-the-financial-sector-created-a-vast-array-of/) [John L. Casti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-l-casti/) > [When I was in my teens I had a series of intensely religious experiences. They deepened my sense of God as the creator of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-linzey/when-i-was-in-my-teens-i-had-a-series-of-intensely-religious/) [Andrew Linzey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-linzey/) > [Changing is not just changing the things outside of us. First of all we need the right view that transcends all notions including of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/changing-is-not-just-changing-the-things-outside-of-us-first-of-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The goal of the Creator is for each entity to make a conscious choice to again seek Oneness, out of our own free will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wilcock/the-goal-of-the-creator-is-for-each-entity-to-make-a-conscious-choice/) [David Wilcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wilcock/) > [ John \[Coltrane\] was like a visitor to this planet. He came in peace and he left in peace; but during his time here, he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ayler/john-coltrane-was-like-a-visitor-to-this-planet-he-came-in-peace-and/) [Albert Ayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ayler/) > [“If God were the doer, when will there be an end?! (If) God is the creator and he made us, we become his toys,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/if-god-were-the-doer-when-will-there-be-an-end-if-god-is-the-creator/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [Sometimes you get the sense that the Creator is getting to that point of "Yeah, we might have to reboot."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-allen/sometimes-you-get-the-sense-that-the-creator-is-getting-to-that-point/) [Tim Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-allen/) > [My wish for humanity is to invent a way to communicate between us and whatever comes next. And in the end that we the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sugata-mitra/my-wish-for-humanity-is-to-invent-a-way-to-communicate-between-us-and/) [Sugata Mitra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sugata-mitra/) [Browse all 2,158 Creator quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creator/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Now, if you notice how the swan, putting its neck down into the deep water, brings up food for itself from below, then you will discover the wisdom of the Creator, in that He gave it a neck longer than its feet for this reason, that it might, as if lowering a sort of fishing line, procure the food hidden in the deep water.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Saint Basil" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/now-if-you-notice-how-the-swan-putting-its-neck-down-into-the-deep/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Creator" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/now-if-you-notice-how-the-swan-putting-its-neck-down-into-the-deep/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/saint-basil-4281_creator_now-if-you-notice-how-the-swan-putting-i_1371385.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/saint-basil-4281_creator_now-if-you-notice-how-the-swan-putting-i_1371385.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f9e/saint-basil-4281_creator_now-if-you-notice-how-the-swan-putting-i_1371385.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Now, if you notice how the swan, putting its neck down into the deep water, brings up food for itself from…” — Saint Basil", "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": "Saint Basil", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-basil/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Now, if you notice how the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/now-if-you-notice-how-the-swan-putting-its-neck-down-into-the-deep/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-basil/now-if-you-notice-how-the-swan-putting-its-neck-down-into-the-deep/#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 } } ] } ```