making a useful thing as long as he does not admire it…
““making a useful thing as long as he does not admire it. The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it intensely.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He claims usefulness is only justified if admired; uselessness is excused by admiration.
In simple terms: Admiration can mask lack of utility.
Key Takeaway
Value function over fascination.
Themes
art
utility
admiration
value
philosophy
Mood
witty
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- product design
- creative work
- consumer behavior
Key Concepts
Aesthetic theory
ethical critique
Questions to Reflect On
- When is admiration insufficient justification?
- How do we balance beauty and usefulness?
A Different Perspective
May ignore practical needs.