Skip to content

Beauty Quote by Lord Byron

“Near this Spot are deposited the Remains of one who possessed Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, and all the virtues of Man without his Vices. This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery if inscribed over human Ashes, is but a just tribute to the Memory…” quote by Lord Byron
Download Open image
““Near this Spot are deposited the Remains of one who possessed Beauty without Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, and all the virtues of Man without his Vices. This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery if inscribed over human Ashes, is but a just tribute to the Memory of Boatswain, a Dog who was born in Newfoundland May 1803 and died at Newstead Nov. 18th, 1808 When some proud Son of Man returns to Earth, Unknown to Glory, but upheld by Birth, The sculptor’s art exhausts the pomp of woe, And storied urns record who rests below. When all is done, upon the Tomb is seen, Not what he was, but what he should have been. But the poor Dog, in life the firmest friend, The first to welcome, foremost to defend, Whose honest heart is still his Master’s own, Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone, Unhonoured falls, unnoticed all his worth, Denied in heaven the Soul he held on earth – While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven, And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven. Oh man! thou feeble tenant of an hour, Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power – Who knows thee well, must quit thee with disgust, Degraded mass of animated dust! Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat, Thy tongue hypocrisy, thy heart deceit! By nature vile, ennobled but by name, Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame. Ye, who behold perchance this simple urn, Pass on – it honours none you wish to mourn. To mark a friend’s remains these stones arise; I never knew but one -- and here he lies.””

Lord Byron

About This Quote

Source Poem: “The Dog” (attributed to Lord Byron, early 19th century)

A tribute to a loyal dog contrasts human vanity and moral failure, highlighting the dog's pure virtues versus man's corrupted nature.

In simple terms: The dog’s loyalty outshines human selfishness.

Key Takeaway

Value genuine loyalty over hollow pride.

Themes

loyalty humility human nature animal virtue mortality

Mood

reflective somber contemplative

Type

poetic memorial philosophical

When to use this quote

  • memorials
  • pet ownership
  • ethical introspection
  • literary analysis

Key Concepts

virtue ethics existential reflection anthropocentrism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does true loyalty look like in your life?
  • How can we honor simple virtues amid societal corruption?
A Different Perspective

Human pride can eclipse true virtue, making remembrance of simple loyalty profound.

3.6 out of 5 (9 ratings)

More by Lord Byron

Explore all 647 Lord Byron quotes

More Beauty quotes

Browse all 24,662 Beauty quotes