Beauty Quote by Donald Barthelme
““There is no moment that exceeds in beauty that moment when one looks at a woman and finds that she is looking at you in the same way that you are looking at her. The moment in which she bestows that look that says, "Proceed with your evil plan, sumbitch." The initial smash on glance. The, the drawing near. This takes a long time, it seems like months, although only minutes pass, in fact. Languor is the word that describes this part of the process. Your persona floats toward her persona, over the Sea of Hesitation. Many weeks pass before they meet, but the weeks are days, or seconds. Still, everything is decided. You have slept together in the glance.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The Balloon” (1975)
Intense mutual attraction creates a timeless, almost surreal experience that feels both fleeting and eternal.
In simple terms: Mutual attraction feels timeless and intense.
Key Takeaway
Savor moments of genuine connection.
Themes
love
attraction
time
illusion
Mood
intimate
playful
Type
narrative
contemporary
When to use this quote
- first dates
- long‑distance relationships
- online dating
Key Concepts
psychology
romance
subjectivity
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “the look” reveal about power dynamics?
- How do expectations shape romantic encounters?
A Different Perspective
Attraction can be idealized, overlooking reality.
![“The social [media channel] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection, and community. That's what there's too little of in today's mediascape, despite all the hoopla surrounding social tools. The promise…” quote by Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c85/umair-haque-25881_beauty_the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-bea_1270.jpg)
