Butterfly Quote by Victor Hugo
“The eye of a man should be still more reverent before the rising of a young maiden than before the rising of a star. The possibility of touch should increase respect. The down of the peach, the dust of the plum, the radiated crystal of snow, the butterfly’s wing powdered with feathers, are gross things beside that chastity that does not even know it is chaste. The young maiden is only the glimmer of a dream and is not yet statue. Her alcove is hidden in the shadows of the ideal. The indiscreet touch of the eye desecrates this dim penumbra. Here, to gaze, is to profane.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "Les Contemplations", 1856
A man should revere a young woman's purity more than celestial wonders; physical desire should be tempered by respect, as the intangible ideal surpasses tangible beauty.
In simple terms: Respect a woman's purity above superficial attractions.
Key Takeaway
Honor inner virtue over external allure.
Themes
respect
purity
idealization
gender
sexuality
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- courtship
- artistic inspiration
- social norms
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
chastity
ideal vs reality
objectification
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- In what ways do we balance admiration with respect?
- How does idealization affect real relationships?
A Different Perspective
Idealizing purity can lead to unrealistic expectations and objectification.
