In this quote from "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," Robert M. Pirsig emphasizes the natural progression of understanding. Initially, a person experiences an intuitive feeling or impression about something before they fully comprehend its reasons or underlying principles. This highlights the importance of trusting feelings as the first step in the process of gaining insight or clarity.

The quote suggests that genuine understanding often begins with an emotional or instinctive response. Only afterward does one analyze and rationalize these feelings to understand why they felt a certain way, thus bridging the gap between perception and reasoning. It underscores the interconnectedness of intuitive experience and logical analysis in the pursuit of knowledge.