That beauty may, for instance, be composed of lovely…
““That beauty may, for instance, be composed of lovely flowers, and glittering streams, and blue sky and white clouds; and yet the thing that impresses us most, and which we should be sorriest to lose, may be a thin grey film on the extreme horizon, not so large, in the space of the scene it occupies, as a piece of gossamer on a near-at-hand bush, nor in any wise prettier to the eye than the gossamer; but because the gossamer is known by us for a little bit of spider’s work, and the other grey film is known to mean a mountain ten thousand feet high, inhabited by a race of noble mountaineers we are solemnly impressed by the aspect of it, and yet all the while the thoughts and knowledge which cause us to receive this impression are so obscure that we are not conscious of them.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Our perception values grand, dramatic symbols over subtle, ordinary details, even though the latter may hold deeper significance.
In simple terms: We notice big, dramatic things more than tiny, everyday ones.
Key Takeaway
Learn to appreciate subtle details.
Themes
perception
beauty
meaning
attention
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- landscape photography
- daily mindfulness
- education
- design
Key Concepts
phenomenology
symbolism
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- What small details have you overlooked?
- How can you train yourself to see the unnoticed?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on grandeur can blind us to important nuances.