Green in nature is one thing, green in literature another. Nature and letters seem to have a natural antipathy; bring them together and they tear each other to pieces.

Summary

This quote by French poet Paul Verlaine suggests that there is a fundamental difference between the concept of "green" as represented in nature and its portrayal in literature. Verlaine suggests that when nature and literature are combined, they clash and conflict with each other. It implies that the literary representation of nature fails to capture its true essence and beauty, and instead, extinguishes its vitality. The quote may be interpreted as a commentary on the limitations of language and literature when attempting to describe the world of nature.

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