He thought that in the beauty of the world were hid a secret. He thought that the world's heart beat at some terrible cost and that the world's pain and its beauty moved in a relationship of diverging equity and that in this headlong deficit the blood of multitudes might ultimately be exacted for the vision of a single flower.
The quote reflects a profound understanding of the complex relationship between beauty and suffering in the world. The speaker suggests that within the beauty we see lies a hidden secret, hinting at the sacrifices and pain required to create or appreciate that beauty. This insight reveals a somber truth about nature and existence, where the pleasure derived from a singular beautiful experience may come at a severe cost to many others.
Additionally, the idea that the world's heart beats with a terrible cost emphasizes the interconnectedness of joy and sorrow. The reference to a "headlong deficit" indicates that for every moment of beauty, there may be an equivalent suffering endured by others. This stark contrast serves as a reminder of the ethical implications of beauty and the often-unseen sacrifices underlying it.