Beauty Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
““We cannot approach beauty. Its nature is like opaline doves'-neck lustres, hovering and evanescent. Herein it resembles the most excellent things, which all have this rainbow character, defying all attempts at appropriation and use.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Transcendentalist” (1842)
Beauty is elusive, fleeting, and resists being captured or used, much like a rainbow that cannot be owned.
In simple terms: Beauty cannot be possessed.
Key Takeaway
Accept beauty’s mystery without trying to control it.
Themes
ailosophy
art
aesthetics
Mood
wonderful
reflective
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- personal reflection
- creative inspiration
Key Concepts
Transcendentalism
impermanence
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you experience beauty without trying to own it?
- What does the rainbow metaphor reveal about desire?
A Different Perspective
Beauty’s intangibility can lead to frustration when seeking concrete definition.
