Beauty Quote by David Hume
““A great inferiority of beauty gives pain to a person conversant in the highest excellence of the kind, and is for that reason pronounced a deformity; as the most finished object with which we are acquainted is naturally supposed to have reached the pinnacle of perfection, and to be entitled to the highest applause.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Of the Standard of Taste, 1757
The highest forms of beauty can cause pain because they set an unattainable ideal, making any imperfection seem like a deformity.
In simple terms: Perfect beauty feels painful because it highlights flaws.
Key Takeaway
Accept imperfection as part of human experience.
Themes
beauty
pain
perfection
philosophy
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- personal self‑esteem
- design evaluation
Key Concepts
aesthetic theory
human psychology
idealism
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines true beauty?
- Can perfection ever be fully achieved?
A Different Perspective
Ideal standards can be unrealistic and harmful.
