Art Quote by Gustave Flaubert
“As humanity perfects itself, man becomes degraded. When everything is reduced to the mere counter-balancing of economic interests, what room will there be for virtue? When Nature has been so subjugated that she has lost all her original forms, where will that leave the plastic arts? And so on. In the mean time, things are going to get very murky.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Sentimental Education by Gustave Flaubert, 1869
The quote warns that relentless pursuit of economic efficiency erodes moral and artistic values, leaving humanity spiritually impoverished.
In simple terms: Economic focus erodes virtue and art.
Key Takeaway
Guard humanity and culture against pure market logic.
Themes
ethics
art
environment
economics
humanism
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
warning
When to use this quote
- policy making
- corporate strategy
- urban planning
- artistic creation
- education curricula
Key Concepts
moral decay
commodification
ecological crisis
Questions to Reflect On
- Can economic systems coexist with strong moral frameworks?
- How can art thrive in a market-dominated world?
A Different Perspective
It may overstate the inevitability of decline, ignoring resilient cultural movements.
