--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An odd thing about beauty, however, is…" description: "\"“An odd thing about beauty, however, is that it's absence tends not to arouse our sympathy as much as other forms of privation do.”\" — Jonathan Franzen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e92/jonathan-franzen-801_beauty_an-odd-thing-about-beauty-however-is-tha_137197.jpg" --- # An odd thing about beauty, however, is that it's absence… ![“An odd thing about beauty, however, is that it's absence tends not to arouse our sympathy as much as other forms of privation do.” quote by Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e92/jonathan-franzen-801_beauty_an-odd-thing-about-beauty-however-is-tha_137197.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e92/jonathan-franzen-801_beauty_an-odd-thing-about-beauty-however-is-tha_137197.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e92/jonathan-franzen-801_beauty_an-odd-thing-about-beauty-however-is-tha_137197.jpg) > ““An odd thing about beauty, however, is that it's absence tends not to arouse our sympathy as much as other forms of privation do.”” [Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-franzen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Beauty’s absence fails to evoke sympathy compared to other lacks, highlighting how we value what we see over what we lack. **In simple terms:** People sympathize less with missing beauty than other lacks. Key Takeaway Recognize bias toward visible loss. Themes beauty sympathy perception Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - art criticism - media - personal relationships Key Concepts philosophy social psychology Questions to Reflect On - Why do we overlook unseen suffering? - How does this bias affect judgments? A Different Perspective Beauty can still be deeply felt even when absent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Privation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/privation/) [Sympathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sympathy/) ## Related quotes > [“True beauty is not the absence of ugliness, but the acceptance of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terri-cheney/true-beauty-is-not-the-absence-of-ugliness-but-the-acceptance-of-it/) [Terri Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terri-cheney/) > [Another woman's beauty is not the absence of your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aly-johnson/another-woman-s-beauty-is-not-the-absence-of-your-own/) [Aly Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aly-johnson/) > [“If you are rich and full-fed, don’t laugh at the impulsiveness of the poor. 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When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie/to-me-the-beauty-of-a-quilt-or-a-dress-lies-within-the-stitches-and/) [Natalie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie/) > [“do not misunderstand person by beauty You really do not know its real or Mask on dirty thoughts”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-zaki-ansari/do-not-misunderstand-person-by-beauty-you-really-do-not-know-its-real/) [Mohammed Zaki Ansari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-zaki-ansari/) > [“I already love in you your beauty, but I am only beginning to love in you that which is eternal and ever precious –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-already-love-in-you-your-beauty-but-i-am-only-beginning-to-love-in/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [The more perfect the sight is the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. 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