The poet is one who is able to keep the fresh vision of the child alive.
Anais NinRead
I prefer by far the warmth and softness to mere brilliancy and coldness. Some people remind me of sharp dazzling diamonds. Valuable but lifeless and loveless. Others, of the simplest field flowers, with hearts full of dew and with all the tints of celestial beauty reflected in their modest petals.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a preference for the warmth and emotional depth of simplicity over the superficiality of brilliance.
Anais Nin contrasts the beauty of precious diamonds with that of simple field flowers, suggesting that true value lies in warmth, love, and emotional connection rather than mere external brilliance or materialistic attributes. She highlights how some people, like diamonds, may seem valuable but lack life and affection, while others, embodying the qualities of flowers, are full of love and beauty in their modesty.
Themes
WarmthLoveSimplicityBeautyEmotional Connection
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of emotional intelligence in relationships.
More from Anais Nin
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But I lie. I embellish. My words are not deep enough. They disguise, they conceal. I will not rest until I have told of my descent into a sensuality which was as dark, as magnificent, as wild, as my moments of mystic creation have been dazzling, ecstatic, exalted.
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