Beauty Quote by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
““Constantly risking absurdity and death whenever he performs above the heads of his audience the poet like an acrobat climbs on rime to a high wire of his own making and balancing on eyebeams above a sea of faces paces his way to the other side of day performing entrechats and sleight-of-foot tricks and other high theatrics and all without mistaking any thing for what it may not be For he's the super realist who must perforce perceive taut truth before the taking of each stance or step in his supposed advance toward that still higher perch where Beauty stands and waits with gravity to start her death-defying leap And he a little charleychaplin man who may or may not catch her fair eternal form spreadeagled in the empty air of existence””
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Poet" (excerpt), 1960
The poet risks extreme vulnerability, performing daring artistic feats while seeking ultimate truth and beauty, balancing risk and authenticity.
In simple terms: Poets risk everything for truth and beauty.
Key Takeaway
Embrace bold creativity despite fear.
Themes
risk
art
truth
beauty
performance
Mood
intense
inspiring
thoughtful
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- stage performance
- creative writing
- personal transformation
Key Concepts
Existentialism
aestheticism
courage
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance artistic risk with personal safety?
- What does “beauty” demand from you?
A Different Perspective
The poet’s pursuit may ignore practical limits and audience reception.
