17. Butterfly A butterfly fluttered its wings in a wind thick with the smell of seaweed. His dry lips felt the touch of the butterfly for the briefest instant, yet the wisp of wing dust still shone on his lips years later.
Rynosuke AkutagawaRead
A man sometimes devotes his life to a desire which he is not sure will ever be fulfilled. Those who laugh at this folly are, after all, no more than mere spectators of life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the idea that pursuing unfulfilled desires is a part of life, and those who criticize such pursuits are merely observing rather than engaging.
In this quote, Rynosuke Akutagawa emphasizes the complexity of human desires and the pursuit of dreams, even when the outcome is uncertain. He suggests that dedicating oneself to a desire, despite the potential for disappointment, is a fundamental aspect of living fully. Those who ridicule this commitment are merely onlookers who do not grasp the richness of living a life driven by passion, regardless of the eventual fulfillment of those desires.
Themes
DesireLifeFulfillmentPursuitCommitmentDreams
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about following one's dreams despite uncertainties.
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