Becoming Quote by Ludwig Wittgenstein
“Black seems to make a colour cloudy, but darkness doesn't. A ruby could thus keep getting darker without ever becoming cloudy; but if it became blackish red, it would become cloudy.”
About This Quote
Source Tractatus Logico‑Philosophicus, 1921, book
Colors and darkness behave differently: darkness lacks cloudiness, while black can become cloudy only when mixed with red.
In simple terms: Darkness isn’t cloudy; black can become cloudy with red.
Key Takeaway
Distinguish between pure darkness and colored opacity.
Themes
perception
philosophy
color theory
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- design
- lighting design
- photography
Key Concepts
ontology
visual perception
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “cloudy” imply in visual terms?
- How do we describe color changes precisely?
A Different Perspective
Interpretation may vary across cultures and contexts.
