Personal beauty is then first charming and itself, when it…
“Personal beauty is then first charming and itself, when it dissatisfies us with any end; when it becomes a story without an end; when it suggests gleams and visions, and not earthly satisfactions; when it makes the beholder feel his unworthiness; when he cannot feel his right to it, though he were Caesar; he cannot feel more right to it than to the firmament and the splendors of a sunset.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
True beauty is fleeting and incomplete, causing feelings of inadequacy and yearning for something higher than earthly pleasures.
In simple terms: Beauty is fleeting, causing longing.
Key Takeaway
Find value beyond superficial beauty.
Themes
beauty
longing
self-worth
spirituality
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- personal growth
- spiritual practice
- writing
Key Concepts
philosophical
existential
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you appreciate beauty without feeling unworthy?
- What higher purpose can replace fleeting beauty?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on beauty can lead to perpetual dissatisfaction.