Beautiful Quote by Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve
“If I had a device, it would be the true, the true only, leaving the beautiful and the good to settle matters afterwards as best they could.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Literary Criticism, Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve, 1855
A perfect device would embody truth alone, leaving beauty and goodness to resolve themselves as best they can.
In simple terms: Truth alone is the ideal; beauty and good follow.
Key Takeaway
Seek truth first, let aesthetics and morality emerge later.
Themes
truth
beauty
goodness
philosophy
instrumentalism
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
critical
Type
philosophical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- art creation
- ethical decision making
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
idealism
epistemology
aesthetic theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What role should beauty play in a truth‑driven world?
- Can goodness exist without truth?
A Different Perspective
Truth alone may be insufficient for guiding actions; beauty and good can be essential guides.
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