I'd rather have two good friends, than 500,000 admirers.
E. E. CummingsRead
in a middle of a room stands a suicide sniffing a Paper rose smiling to a self "somewhere it is Spring and sometimes people are in real:imagine somewhere real flowers,but I can't imagine real flowers for if I could,they would somehow not Be real" (so he smiles smiling)"but I will not everywhere be real to you in a moment" The is blond with small hands "& everything is easier than I had guessed everything would be;even remembering the way who looked at whom first,anyhow dancing
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the complexities of existence, touching on themes of perception and reality through the metaphor of a flower.
E. E. Cummings' quote navigates the delicate interplay between reality and imagination. The imagery of a 'suicide sniffing a paper rose' suggests a longing for authenticity amidst artificiality, where the speaker grapples with their inability to conceive of genuine beauty. Despite this, the quote conveys a sense of acceptance, hinting at the ease of navigating life's memories and moments, even if they are tinged with melancholy. The recurrent theme of smiling, even in the face of sorrow, underscores the resilience of the spirit and the importance of holding on to personal experiences, however fleeting.
Themes
ExistenceImaginationBeautyMelancholyAcceptance
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could inspire a discussion on the nature of reality versus imagination in a philosophy class.
More from E. E. Cummings
All quotes →I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach ten thousand stars how not to dance.
E. E. CummingsRead
It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
E. E. CummingsRead
When god decided to invent everything he took one reath bigger than a circustent and everything began
E. E. CummingsRead
The Artist is no other than he who unlearns what he has learned, in order to know himself.
E. E. CummingsRead
Nobody else can be alive for you; nor can you be alive for anybody else.
E. E. CummingsRead
Similar quotes
To suffer woes which Hope thinks infinite; To forgive wrongs darker than death or night; To defy Power, which seems omnipotent; To love, and bear; to hope till Hope creates From it's own wreck the thing it contemplates; Neither to change, not falter, nor repent; This, like thy glory, Titan, is to be Good, great and joyous,beautiful and free; This is alone Life, Joy, Empire, and Victory
Percy Bysshe ShelleyRead
She spoke of evenings in the country making popcorn on the porch. Once this would have gladdened my heart but because her heart was not glad when she said it I knew there was nothing in it but the idea of what one should do.
Jack KerouacRead
It is true that I have had heartache and tragedy in my life. These are things none of us avoids. Suffering is the price of being alive.
Judy CollinsRead
Me, Polly Garter, under the washing line, giving the breast in the garden to my bonny new baby. Nothing grows in our garden, only washing. And babies. And where's their fathers live, my love? Over the hills and far away. You're looking up at me now. I know what you're thinking, you poor little milky creature. You're thinking, you're no better than you should be, Polly, and that's good enough for me. Oh, isn't life a terrible thing, thank God?
Dylan ThomasRead
Most people spend their entire lives on a fantasy island called 'Someday I'll.'
Denis WaitleyRead
Live for yourself and you will live in vain; Live for others, and you will live again.
Bob MarleyRead