Bonaparte Quote by William Hazlitt
“The Princess Borghese, Bonaparte's sister, who was no saint, sat to Canova as a reclining Venus, and being asked if she did not feel a little uncomfortable, replied, "No. There was a fire in the room."”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Art of Sculpture", 1820
Princess Borghese dismissed discomfort, claiming a metaphorical fire in the room.
In simple terms: She used a bold metaphor to mask unease.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge discomfort with humor.
Themes
art
society
gender
ego
confidence
Mood
wry
analytical
Type
literary
historical
When to use this quote
- Art criticism
- social gatherings
- public speaking
- personal branding
Key Concepts
Metaphor
deflection
social performance
Questions to Reflect On
- When do you use humor to deflect?
- What does the “fire” symbolize?
A Different Perspective
Might trivialize genuine discomfort.
