Beauty Quote by J.M. Coetzee
““An aversion came over me that we feel for all the mutilated. Why is that so, do you think? Because they put us in mind of what we would rather forget: how easily, at the stroke of a sword or a knife, wholeness and beauty are forever undone? Perhaps. But toward you I felt a deeper revulsion. I could not put out of mind the softness of the tongue, its softness and wetness, and the fact that it does not live in the light; also how helpless it is before the knife, once the barrier of teeth has been passed. The tongue is like the heart, in that way, is it not?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Disgrace, 1999
The narrator feels revulsion toward mutilated bodies, linking physical disfigurement to deeper emotional and moral unease.
In simple terms: Mutilation triggers deep disgust and moral reflection.
Key Takeaway
Examine how physical wounds mirror inner turmoil.
Themes
mortality
revulsion
beauty
humanity
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reading literature
- discussing trauma
- art therapy
Key Concepts
ethical reflection
psychology
body image
Questions to Reflect On
- How does physical injury affect identity?
- Can beauty be redefined beyond appearance?
A Different Perspective
The focus on physical disfigurement may overlook psychological resilience.
