Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Sparks fly upward is a brief, symbolic statement about natural direction.
In plain terms
Sparks go up; it's simple and natural.
What can you take from it?
Look for natural directions.

Where it applies

  • metaphor
  • nature observation
  • optimism

Putting it to work

  • finding clarity
  • simplifying views

Questions to consider

  • What always goes up?
  • Is nature always simple?

Another view

Sparks can also fall when wind changes.

More from Ken Kesey

  1. You don't plow under the corn because the seed was planted with a neighbor's shovel.

    Permalink to quote #56
  2. You don't lead by pointing and telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case.

    Permalink to quote #55
  3. You can't really be strong until you see a funny side to things.

    Permalink to quote #54

Related quotes

  1. You are never to lose sight of nature; the instant you do, you are all abroad, at the mercy of every gust of fashion, without knowing or seeing the point to wh…

    Joshua ReynoldsJoshua Reynolds quote #15
  2. The artist must imitate that which is within the thing, that which is active through form and figure, and discourses to us by symbols.

    Samuel Taylor ColeridgeSamuel Taylor Coleridge quote #121
  3. Slowly I discovered the secret of my art. It consists of a meditation on nature, on the expression of a dream which is always inspired by reality. With more in…

    Henri MatisseHenri Matisse quote #1