Bird Quote by William Butler Yeats
“And wisdom is a butterfly And not a gloomy bird of prey.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Stolen Child” (excerpt), 1919
Wisdom is portrayed as a delicate, fleeting creature rather than a predatory one, suggesting that true insight is gentle, transformative, and not forceful.
In simple terms: Wisdom is gentle like a butterfly.
Key Takeaway
Seek gentle, transformative insight.
Themes
wisdom
transformation
delicacy
nature
metaphor
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
contemplative
Type
poetic
philosophical
metaphorical
When to use this quote
- learning a new skill
- teaching children
- creative brainstorming
- mindful meditation
- artistic creation
Key Concepts
epistemology
beauty
soft power
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance gentle insight with decisive action?
- When does softness become a weakness?
A Different Perspective
Viewing wisdom as fragile may ignore the need for assertive action.
