--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: True ornament is not a matter of…" description: "\"True ornament is not a matter of prettifying externals. It is organic with the structure it adorns, whether a person, a building, or a park. At its bes..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/frank-lloyd-wright-1353_building_true-ornament-is-not-a-matter-of-prettif_2284248.jpg" --- # True ornament is not a matter of prettifying externals. It… ![“True ornament is not a matter of prettifying externals. It is organic with the structure it adorns, whether a person, a building, or a park. At its best it is an emphasis of structure, a realization in graceful terms of the nature of that which is ornamented” quote by Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/frank-lloyd-wright-1353_building_true-ornament-is-not-a-matter-of-prettif_2284248.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/frank-lloyd-wright-1353_building_true-ornament-is-not-a-matter-of-prettif_2284248.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/frank-lloyd-wright-1353_building_true-ornament-is-not-a-matter-of-prettif_2284248.jpg) > “True ornament is not a matter of prettifying externals. It is organic with the structure it adorns, whether a person, a building, or a park. At its best it is an emphasis of structure, a realization in graceful terms of the nature of that which is ornamented” [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ornament should arise naturally from a structure’s purpose, not be added superficially. **In simple terms:** Ornament follows function. Key Takeaway Design with integrated, purposeful detail. Themes design architecture aesthetics functionality Mood thoughtful inspirational Type architectural philosophical When to use this quote - building design - landscape planning - product design - interior décor Key Concepts organic design structural harmony minimalism Questions to Reflect On - How does ornament enhance function? - When is ornament unnecessary? A Different Perspective Risk of over‑simplifying complex forms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Building](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/building/) [Emphasis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emphasis/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Nature Ornamented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-ornamented-5343128/) [Ornament Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ornament-matter-5343129/) [Ornamented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ornamented-5343131/) [Ornaments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ornaments/) [Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parks/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Prettifying Externals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prettifying-externals-5343130/) [Realization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realization/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) [Term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term/) [True Ornament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-ornament-5343127/) ## Related quotes > [The connoisseur of art must be able to appreciate what is simply beautiful, but the common run of people is satisfied with ornament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-connoisseur-of-art-must-be-able-to-appreciate-what-is-simply/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [When a rainbow appears vividly in the sky, you can see its beautiful colors, yet you could not wear as clothing or put it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dilgo-khyentse-rinpoche/when-a-rainbow-appears-vividly-in-the-sky-you-can-see-its-beautiful/) [Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dilgo-khyentse-rinpoche/) > [We are made aware that magnitude of material things is relative, and all objects shrink and expand to serve the passion of the poet.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/we-are-made-aware-that-magnitude-of-material-things-is-relative-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [There are elements of intrinsic beauty in the simplification of a house built on the log cabin idea. First, there is the bare beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustav-stickley/there-are-elements-of-intrinsic-beauty-in-the-simplification-of-a/) [Gustav Stickley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustav-stickley/) > [A fine thought in fine language is a most precious jewel, and should not be hid away, but be exposed for use and ornament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/a-fine-thought-in-fine-language-is-a-most-precious-jewel-and-should/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [Truth is not only a man's ornament but his instrument; it is the great man's glory, and the poor man's stock: a man's truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-whichcote/truth-is-not-only-a-man-s-ornament-but-his-instrument-it-is-the-great/) [Benjamin Whichcote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-whichcote/) > [Christmas garland and a rock?" he said, a smile in his voice."Why not an ornament?" "Wolves aren't fragile," I told him. "And they're... stubbon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-briggs/christmas-garland-and-a-rock-he-said-a-smile-in-his-voice-why-not-an/) [Patricia Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-briggs/) > [Money can help you to get medicines but not health. Money can help you to get soft pillows, but not sound sleep. Money can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sivananda/money-can-help-you-to-get-medicines-but-not-health-money-can-help-you/) [Sivananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sivananda/) > [I never rebel so much against France as not to regard Paris with a friendly eye; she has had my heart since my childhood...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-never-rebel-so-much-against-france-as-not-to-regard-paris-with-a/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [I repeat, sir, that in whatever position you place a woman she is an ornament to society and a treasure to the world. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/i-repeat-sir-that-in-whatever-position-you-place-a-woman-she-is-an/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [No ornament of a house can compare with books; they are constant company in a room, even when you are not reading them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/no-ornament-of-a-house-can-compare-with-books-they-are-constant/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [The modern majesty consists in work. What a man can do is his greatest ornament, and he always consults his dignity by doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/the-modern-majesty-consists-in-work-what-a-man-can-do-is-his-greatest/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [Mannerism is not character, and affectation is the avowed enemy of grace. Every dancer ought to regard his laborious art as a link in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-bournonville/mannerism-is-not-character-and-affectation-is-the-avowed-enemy-of/) [August Bournonville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-bournonville/) > [So may the outward shows be least themselves; The world is still deceived with ornament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-may-the-outward-shows-be-least-themselves-the-world-is-still/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [By the word simplicity, is not always meant folly or ignorance; but often, pure and upright Nature, free from artifice, craft or deceitful ornament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/by-the-word-simplicity-is-not-always-meant-folly-or-ignorance-but/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## More by Frank Lloyd Wright > [From time to time the continent shifts, and everything that isn't fastened down slides into Southern California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/from-time-to-time-the-continent-shifts-and-everything-that-isn-t/) [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) > [Respect the masterpiece. 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I chose honest arrogance and have seen no occasion to change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/early-in-life-i-had-to-choose-between-honest-arrogance-and/) [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) > [The Lincoln Memorial is related to the toga and the civilization that wore it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/the-lincoln-memorial-is-related-to-the-toga-and-the-civilization-that/) [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) > [The belief in a thing makes it happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/the-belief-in-a-thing-makes-it-happen/) [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) > [“give me the luxuries of life and I will gladly do without the necessities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/give-me-the-luxuries-of-life-and-i-will-gladly-do-without-the/) [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) > [It's easier to make changes with a pencil than a wrecking bar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/it-s-easier-to-make-changes-with-a-pencil-than-a-wrecking-bar/) [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) > [Life always rides in strength to victory, not through internationalism... but only through the direct responsibility of the individual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/life-always-rides-in-strength-to-victory-not-through-internationalism/) [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) > [A man is a fool if he drinks before he reaches fifty, and a fool if he doesn't drink afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/a-man-is-a-fool-if-he-drinks-before-he-reaches-fifty-and-a-fool-if-he/) [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) > [Entering into the spirit of this interior, you will discover the best possible atmosphere in which to show fine paintings or listen to music.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/entering-into-the-spirit-of-this-interior-you-will-discover-the-best/) [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) > [A great architect is not made by way of a brain nearly so much as he is made by way of a cultivated, enriched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/a-great-architect-is-not-made-by-way-of-a-brain-nearly-so-much-as-he/) [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) [Explore all 251 Frank Lloyd Wright quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) ## More Building quotes > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/you-of-canada-are-building-a-magnificent-record-of-achievement-my/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [One of the things the United States does well is building coalitions. What the U.S. knows is that if you don't have a coalition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/one-of-the-things-the-united-states-does-well-is-building-coalitions/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) > [Surely, if Mother Nature had been consulted, she would never have consented to building a city in New Orleans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-zuckerman/surely-if-mother-nature-had-been-consulted-she-would-never-have/) [Mortimer Zuckerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mortimer-zuckerman/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. 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It's a people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/t-he-church-is-not-a-place-it-s-not-a-building-it-s-not-a-preaching/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) > [I'd like to play Ian Paisley, actually. I'd need building up, though he's very frail now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liam-neeson/i-d-like-to-play-ian-paisley-actually-i-d-need-building-up-though-he/) [Liam Neeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liam-neeson/) > [Death is but an aspect of life, and the destruction of one material form is but a prelude to building up of another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/death-is-but-an-aspect-of-life-and-the-destruction-of-one-material/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some architects have a preconceived notion of what a building should be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-w-fentress/some-architects-have-a-preconceived-notion-of-what-a-building-should/) [Curtis W. 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