Discord occasions a momentary distress to the ear, which…
“Discord occasions a momentary distress to the ear, which remains unsatisfied, and even uneasy, until it hears something better. I am convinced...that provided the ear be at length made amends, there are few dissonances too strong for it. Disharmony, to paraphrase Bergson's statement about disorder, is simply a harmony to which many are unaccustomed.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Discord creates an uncomfortable silence until a better sound resolves it; disharmony is just unfamiliar harmony.
In simple terms: Noise unsettles us until something pleasing replaces it; unfamiliar sounds feel discordant.
Key Takeaway
Seek harmony by introducing pleasing sounds.
Themes
sound
harmony
perception
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
musical
When to use this quote
- music composition
- urban soundscape
- personal listening
Key Concepts
aesthetic theory
psychology of sound
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you transform discord into artistic expression?
- What sounds bring you comfort after a disturbance?
A Different Perspective
Not all discord is negative; it can lead to new creative forms.