Artifice Quote by Michel de Montaigne
“We perceive no charms that are not sharpened, puffed out, and inflated by artifice. Those which glide along naturally and simply easily escape a sight so gross as ours.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Essays, Book I, Chapter 12, 1580
Artificial embellishment draws attention, while natural simplicity often goes unnoticed by our biased perception.
In simple terms: Art hides truth; simplicity is ignored.
Key Takeaway
Value authenticity over flashy artifice.
Themes
perception
artifice
authenticity
beauty
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- fashion critique
- design evaluation
- personal relationships
- media consumption
Key Concepts
Aesthetics
human bias
natural vs artificial
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize genuine beauty?
- When have you missed something simple due to distraction?
A Different Perspective
Artificiality can be manipulative and may obscure genuine value.
