We delight in the beauty of the butterfly

We delight in the beauty of a butterfly: Maya Angelou’s quotes and poems make us reflect on the kindness and love in this world. In this quote, she talks about the pain behind beauty. It is similar to a quote by Steve Jobs that talks about something that looks simple and has lots of complications behind it. However, they are not direct comparisons. I love the depth in Maya Angelou’s quotes and poetry which has a very special place. In today’s discussion, we will talk about the meaning of Maya Angelou’s butterfly quote:

Maya Angelou Butterfly Quote

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty
– Maya Angelou

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly – we always admire the end result but forget the effort involved. It takes hard work to get to the results. Most times, this is not visible because the results are so much more alluring. It is fun to look at these results and feel sad or compare ourselves against them. But every simple result has a complex story. Once we start understanding this complexity, we realise that we can respect life and its challenges more.

We rarely admit the changes it has gone to achieve that beauty – this is about identifying the effort to get to the final result. The results are fun – but the strategies, hard work and trial, and error are not easy. We all have to go through this metamorphosis just like the butterfly goes through its own. The next time we are in trouble, maybe we can remind ourselves that beauty takes hard work. Nothing is as easy as it seems to be.

This quote has a stunning representation of the complexity behind beauty. We all can appreciate the beauty and how it makes us feel. But not all beauty is simple or easy. Sometimes, this beauty comes at the cost of a deep struggle and complexities in life. The meaning of we delight in the beauty of the butterfly is a powerful reminder to appreciate the challenges that lead to beauty.

Things are never as simple as they appear. There will be challenges for everyone in life – it is never easy. The best thing we can do is to be kind to people and appreciate their challenges. Maybe, we can support them by providing a lending hand and being sympathetic to their pains.

Be kind, Everyone you meet is fighting a battle!

Other Maya Angelou Quotes

The other quotes from Maya Angelou are equally powerful and moving. One of the reasons I love her quotes so much is because of the pain and complexity in them. They all appear simple, just like this butterfly quote. But life has a beauty in its pain, hardships and challenges. It also has beauty in its ease. Perhaps nothing is as easy as it seems nor as complex. We have to find a way to embrace life as it is and keep moving ahead. Each journey is different and each one of us is different. And this is perhaps the most beautiful thing about life.

Here is a list of other such powerful quotes from Maya Angelou

People will forget what you said, but not how you made them feel
I’ve learned that even when I’m in pain, I don’t have to be one
We may encounter defeats but must not be defeated
If you don’t like something, change it, if you can’t, change your attitude
Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and how you do it
You may not control all the events that happen to you but can decide not to be reduced by them

This is only a subset as I’m sure you can find other such powerful quotes in her full list. I would also encourage reading some of her poems through their beauty and pain