Beauty Quote by Paul Bowles
““Scene VI (1940) It is our fault we love only the skull of Beauty Without knowing who she was, of what she died. We have the thief's guilt, but not his booty, The liar's spasm without ever having lied. The sick locust scrapes his injured song, His thorax only partially destroyed. Retching is prohibited. It's wrong. The murderer feels no hate he can avoid. Now flies bite worst where the skin is broken. Illness triumphs. Lesions. Soon tumors sprout. The bloated plants quiver, the seeds will be shaken. 'Your head's bashed in, darling. Look out.””
About This Quote
Source Play: Scene VI (1940) by Paul Bowles
The passage portrays beauty’s decay and the hidden suffering behind superficial admiration, suggesting that ignoring deeper truths leads to disease and destruction.
In simple terms: Surface beauty hides pain and decay.
Key Takeaway
Look beyond appearances to see true harm.
Themes
beauty
decay
hidden suffering
critique of perception
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- personal reflection
- health awareness
- social commentary
Key Concepts
existential dread
symbolic imagery
psychological decay
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we recognize hidden suffering?
- What does “beauty” truly mean?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may overstate disease as literal, ignoring resilience.
