... as true as this might appear ...

[zeonis]

The beautiful crashing surf and serene blue sky seemed to say, Life is simple; enjoy it. But both he and I knew that as true as this might appear on a seaside trail on a post-Christmas day in Hawaii, the trail ahead was going to be hard.

- from Play NIce but Win by Michael Dell.

-> In the second sentence, what does "this" refer? I don't understand the meaning of the second sentence. can anyone rephrase the sentence for a non natuve speaker?

Thank you in advance.

 

[jutfrank]

this refers to "Life is simple; enjoy it."

 

[emsr2d2]

The beautiful crashing surf and serene blue sky seemed to say, Life is simple; enjoy it. But both he and I knew that, as true as this might appear on a seaside trail on a post-Christmas day in Hawaii, the trail ahead was going to be hard.

- from Play Nice but Win by Michael Dell. (Put book titles in italics.)

->There is no need for this symbol here.

In the second sentence, what does "this" refer to? I don't understand the meaning of the second sentence. Can anyone rephrase the sentence for a non-native speaker?

Thank you in advance. Unnecessary. Thank us after we help you, by clicking on the "Thank" icon.

Please note my corrections and comments above. I have added a comma in the quote - does it help your understanding?

 

[zeonis]

this refers to "Life is simple; enjoy it."

Then, the meaning of the sentence is " 'Life is simple; enjoy it' might appear true on a seaside trail on a post-Chrismas day in Hawaii"?

 

[jutfrank]

Yes.