"Is it sin, which makes the worm a chrysalis, and the chrysalis a butterfly, and the butterfly dust?"

This quote by Max Muller is a metaphor for the cycle of life and death. The worm is a sign of the beginning of life, the chrysalis is a symbol of change, and the butterfly is a symbol of charm and flexibility. The dust is a symbol of death and the end of life. The quote is asking if it is sin that triggers this cycle of life and death, or if it is just a natural part of life. It is suggesting that life and death are linked and that it is not necessarily a bad thing. The quote is likewise suggesting that life is a journey and that we must embrace the cycle of life and death, instead of fear it. Eventually, the quote is asking us to accept the inevitability of death and to maximize our lives while we can.