Appetite Quote by David Hume
“But the most common species of love is that which first arises from beauty, and afterwards diffuses itself into kindness and into the bodily appetite. Kindness or esteem, and the appetite to generation, are too remote to unite easily together. The one is, perhaps, the most refined passion of the soul; the other the most gross and vulgar. The love of beauty is placed in a just medium betwixt them, and partakes of both their natures: From whence it proceeds, that it is so singularly fitted to produce both.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Treatise: An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals, 1751
Love of beauty is a refined passion that bridges the gap between aesthetic appreciation and kindness, combining both refined and gross elements of the soul.
In simple terms: Beauty love connects aesthetic appreciation with kindness.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate appreciation of beauty to foster kindness.
Themes
philosophy
love
beauty
kindness
ethics
Mood
contemplative
philosophical
Type
theoretical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- personal relationships
- ethical education
Key Concepts
aesthetic theory
moral psychology
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- Can appreciation of beauty alone inspire lasting kindness?
- How do cultural differences affect this love of beauty?
A Different Perspective
Beauty alone may not sustain moral behavior without deeper commitment.
![“We see them [animals] as the Ice Age is ending and we know that actually in the long run, they're not going to make it. And there's something beautiful about that, beautifully sad. The way the characters are woven together in the film adds to the emotion because they need each other. The message…” quote by John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fe7/john-leguizamo-3025_add_we-see-them-animals-as-the-ice-age-is-en_2054393.jpg)
