You ask me why I dwell in the green mountain; I smile and make no reply for my heart is free of care. As the peach-blossom flows down stream and is gone into the unknown, I have a world apart that is not among men.
Li BaiRead
Beneath the blossoms with a pot of wine, No friends at hand, so I poured alone; I raised my cup to invite the moon, Turned to my shadow, and we became three.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the companionship found in solitude and nature.
In this quote, the poet Li Bai expresses a sense of loneliness while enjoying a moment under the blossoms with a pot of wine. Despite being physically alone, he invites the moon to join him in his solitude and finds companionship in his own shadow, illustrating the deep connection between nature, self, and the comforting aspects of friendship—even when alone.
Themes
SolitudeNatureFriendshipWineMoon
In practice
Example use cases
In a poetry reading, to highlight the beauty of companionship even in solitude.
More from Li Bai
All quotes →Since Life is but a Dream, Why toil to no avail?
Li BaiRead
The paired butterflies are already yellow with August Over the grass in the West garden; They hurt me. I grow older.
Li BaiRead
From some home a jade flute sends dark notes drifting,_x000D_ _x000D_ Scattering on the spring wind that fills Lo-yang._x000D_ _x000D_ Tonight, if we should hear the willow-breaking song,_x000D_ _x000D_ Who could help but long for the gardens of home?
Li BaiRead
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