Italy Quote by Elizabeth Gilbert
““Because the world is so corrupted, misspoken, unstable, exaggerated and unfair, one should trust only what one can experience with one's own senses, and THIS makes the senses stronger in Italy than anywhere in Europe. This is why, Barzini says, Italians will tolerate hideously incompetent generals, presidents, tyrants, professors, bureaucrats, journalists and captain of industry, but will never tolerate incompetent opera singers, conductors, ballerinas, courtesans, actors, film directors, cooks, tailors... In a world of disorder and disaster and fraud, sometimes only beauty can be trusted. Only artistic excellence is incorruptible. Pleasure cannot be bargained down. And sometimes the meal is the only currency that is real.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, 2006
In a chaotic, corrupt world, personal sensory experience and artistic excellence become reliable sources of truth and pleasure, surpassing unreliable institutions and leaders.
In simple terms: Trust your senses and art when society fails.
Key Takeaway
Seek beauty and authenticity over unreliable authority.
Themes
trust
beauty
authenticity
skepticism
artistic excellence
Mood
reflective
critical
inspirational
Type
philosophical
cultural
personal
When to use this quote
- travel
- dining
- art appreciation
- political discourse
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
sensory perception
corruption
cultural critique
aesthetic value
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you cultivate personal sensory trust in daily life?
- What role does beauty play in your decision making?
A Different Perspective
Art may be elitist and inaccessible to many, limiting its universal trustworthiness.
![“And while [we] do have possibilities that are vast and magnificent and almost infinite in scope, it's important to remember that our choice-rich lives have the potential to breed their own brand of trouble. We are susceptible to emotional uncertainties and neuroses that are probably not very…” quote by Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7fb/elizabeth-gilbert-131_choice_and-while-we-do-have-possibilities-that_30637.jpg)
