Beauty Quote by Northrop Frye
“The pursuit of beauty is much more dangerous nonsense than the pursuit of truth or goodness, because it affords a stronger temptation to the ego.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Anatomy of Criticism, 1957
Chasing beauty can corrupt the ego more than seeking truth or goodness, because it fuels vanity.
In simple terms: Beauty can be a dangerous distraction that inflates ego.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize truth and goodness over superficial allure.
Themes
ego
beauty
truth
goodness
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- personal ambition
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
aestheticism
philosophical ethics
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- Can the pursuit of beauty be aligned with moral good?
- How does ego influence artistic judgment?
A Different Perspective
Beauty can inspire positive creation when balanced with humility.
![“It's [Los Angeles] mostly full of nonsense and delusion and egomania. They think they'll be young and beautiful forever, even though most of them aren't even young and beautiful now.” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a86/christopher-hitchens-117_beautiful_it-s-los-angeles-mostly-full-of-nonsense_10462.jpg)
