In this quote, Thomas Pynchon reflects on the contrasting perspectives of poets and practical thinkers regarding the universe and its inherent nature. While many view the laws of physics as arbitrary rules and envision God in a human-like manner, poets grapple with the reality of existence as it is, without embellishment. They recognize that the universe operates independently of human traits and emotions, which leads to a deeper understanding of its fundamental essence.

Pynchon suggests that poets play a crucial role in society by wrapping the indifferent nature of the universe in metaphorical language. This allows the more pragmatic portions of humanity to maintain a sense of comfort and belief in the universe’s relationship to human experience. By doing so, the poets help propagate what Pynchon refers to as the "Great Lie," enabling people to think their surroundings possess human-like intentions and characteristics.