Aesthetic Quote by Havelock Ellis
“...aesthetic values are changed under the influence of sexual emotion; from the lover's point of view many things are beautiful which are unbeautiful from the point of view of him who is not a lover, and the greater the degree to which the lover is swayed by his passion the greater the extent to which his normal aesthetic standard is liable to be modified.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Havelock Ellis, 1898
Sexual passion reshapes what one finds beautiful, altering aesthetic judgments based on emotional state.
In simple terms: Passion changes how we see beauty.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how emotions bias perception.
Themes
aesthetics
emotion
perception
subjectivity
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- romantic relationships
- personal taste
- media consumption
Key Concepts
psychology
sexuality
beauty standards
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you know when your taste is truly personal?
- Can you separate emotion from aesthetic judgment?
A Different Perspective
Aesthetic judgments can be manipulated by non‑emotional criteria.
