Birds Quote by Susan Hubbard
““She especially liked my bedside lamp, which had a five-sided porcelain shade. Unlit, the shade seemed like bumpy ivory. Lit, each panel came to life with the image of a bird: a blue jay, a cardinal, wrens, an oriole, and a dove. Kathleen turned it off and on again, several times. "How does it do that?" "The panels are called lithophanes." I knew because I'd asked my father about the lamp, years ago. "The porcelain is carved and painted. You can see it if you look inside the shade." "No," she said. "It's magic. I don't want to know how it's done.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lamp of Secrets by Susan Hubbard, 2015
A character marvels at a lamp that displays intricate bird images, attributing its effect to magic rather than understanding its craft.
In simple terms: People often prefer mystery over technical explanation.
Key Takeaway
Embrace curiosity, not just wonder.
Themes
art
perception
craft
magic
curiosity
Mood
wonderful
thoughtful
Type
descriptive
narrative
When to use this quote
- home décor
- gift giving
- museum exhibit
- design inspiration
Key Concepts
lithophanes
porcelain art
visual illusion
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you seek to uncover how things work or enjoy them as they are?
- What does mystery add to everyday objects?
A Different Perspective
Technical knowledge can diminish the charm of mystery.
![“What's life without risk," my father said. "Nothing but mauvais foi [bad faith]” quote by Susan Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/608/susan-hubbard-35220_faith_what-s-life-without-risk-my-father-said_1970734.jpg)
