Monarch
Once upon a time,
I dreamt I was a butterfly,
fluttering hither and thither,
to all intents and purposes a butterfly.
I was conscious only of my happiness
as a butterfly, unaware that I was myself.
Soon I awaked, and there I was,
veritably myself again. Now I do not know
whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly,
or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.
I dreamt I was a butterfly,
fluttering hither and thither,
to all intents and purposes a butterfly.
I was conscious only of my happiness
as a butterfly, unaware that I was myself.
Soon I awaked, and there I was,
veritably myself again. Now I do not know
whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly,
or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.
Chuang Tzu
Chinese philosopher of 4th century BC
(also known a Zhuang Zhou and Zhuangzi)
Chinese philosopher of 4th century BC
(also known a Zhuang Zhou and Zhuangzi)
