We are the mimics. Clouds are pedagogues.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Humans imitate nature, and natural phenomena like clouds teach us about change and impermanence.
- In plain terms
- We copy what we see, and nature teaches us lessons.
- What can you take from it?
- Nature instructs through example.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What has nature taught you?
- Do we learn more from imitation or invention?
Another view
Humans also create original ideas, not just mimic.
More from Wallace Stevens
The clouds preceded us. There was a muddy centre before we breathed. There was a myth before the myth began, Venerable and articulate and complete. From this t…
Permalink to quote #101 Abysmal instruments make sounds like pips Of the sweeping meanings that we add to them.
Permalink to quote #103 The first idea was not our own. Adam In Eden was the father of Descartes And eve made air the mirror of herself, Of her sons and of her daughters.
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