The commonest and cheapest sounds, as the barking of a…
““The commonest and cheapest sounds, as the barking of a dog, produce the same effect on fresh and healthy ears that the rarest music does. It depends on your appetite for sound. Just as a crust is sweeter to a healthy appetite than confectionery to a pampered or diseased one. It is better that these cheap sounds be music to us than that we have the rarest ears for music in any other sense. I have lain awake at night many a time to think of the barking of a dog which I had heard long before, bathing my being again in those waves of sound, as a frequenter of the opera might lie awake remembering the music he had heard.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Simple, everyday sounds can be as enriching as rare music, depending on one’s sensory appetite and openness.
In simple terms: Ordinary sounds can be music if you’re receptive.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate openness to all auditory experiences.
Themes
perception
nature
sound
appetite
mindfulness
Mood
contemplative
philosophical
Type
reflection
inspirational
When to use this quote
- daily walks
- mindful listening
- soundscape appreciation
Key Concepts
sensory awareness
subjective experience
environmental influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your environment shape what you consider music?
- Can you find beauty in sounds you usually ignore?
A Different Perspective
Some may find ordinary sounds unappealing; personal taste varies.