--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's a very Greek idea, and a very…" description: "\"“It's a very Greek idea, and a very profound one. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it. And what could be more terrifying and beautiful, to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d6/donna-tartt-391_life-and-living_it-s-a-very-greek-idea-and-a-very-profou_128937.jpg" --- # It's a very Greek idea, and a very profound one. Whatever… ![“It's a very Greek idea, and a very profound one. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it. And what could be more terrifying and beautiful, to lose control completely? To throw off all the chains of being for an instant, to shatter the accident of our mortal selves?” quote by Donna Tartt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d6/donna-tartt-391_life-and-living_it-s-a-very-greek-idea-and-a-very-profou_128937.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d6/donna-tartt-391_life-and-living_it-s-a-very-greek-idea-and-a-very-profou_128937.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d6/donna-tartt-391_life-and-living_it-s-a-very-greek-idea-and-a-very-profou_128937.jpg) > ““It's a very Greek idea, and a very profound one. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it. And what could be more terrifying and beautiful, to lose control completely? To throw off all the chains of being for an instant, to shatter the accident of our mortal selves?”” [Donna Tartt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-tartt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Greek ideas of beauty and terror intertwine; losing control can be both terrifying and beautiful, freeing one from mortal constraints. **In simple terms:** Beauty and terror mix; losing control can be freeing. Key Takeaway Embracing chaos can reveal profound beauty. Themes beauty terror control philosophy Mood awe intense Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - art - writing - personal transformation Key Concepts existential freedom Greek thought Practical Applications - allow moments of surrender - explore unknown Questions to Reflect On - When have you felt beautiful in chaos? - What does freedom mean to you? A Different Perspective Loss of control can be destructive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Greek Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greek-idea-1483543/) [Idea Profound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idea-profound-1483546/) [Life and living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-and-living/) [Lose Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lose-control/) [Mortal Selves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortal-selves-1483545/) [Terrifying Beautiful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrifying-beautiful-1483544/) ## Related quotes > [“It's a very Greek idea, and a very profound one. Beauty is terror. Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it. And what could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-tartt/it-s-a-very-greek-idea-and-a-very-profound-one-beauty-is-terror/) [Donna Tartt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-tartt/) > [“It's a very Greek idea, and a very profound one. Beauty is terror. 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