That which is not slightly distorted lacks sensible appeal; from which it follows that irregularity – that is to say, the unexpected, surprise and astonishment, are a essential part and characteristic of beauty.
Charles BaudelaireRead
Always be a poet, even in prose.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Embrace creativity in all forms of expression, not just traditional poetry.
This quote by Charles Baudelaire encourages individuals to maintain a poetic sensibility in all forms of communication, including prose. It suggests that one should infuse their writing and daily life with creativity and emotion, allowing the beauty and depth of poetry to shine through even in straightforward expressions.
Themes
PoetryCreativityExpressionArtWriting
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about creativity, one might quote Baudelaire to emphasize the importance of poetic thinking.
More from Charles Baudelaire
All quotes →The dance can reveal everything mysterious that is hidden in music, and it has the additional merit of being human and palpable. Dancing is poetry with arms and legs.
Charles BaudelaireRead
Who among us has not dreamt, in moments of ambition, of the miracle of a poetic prose, musical without rhythm and rhyme, supple and staccato enough to adapt to the lyrical stirrings of the soul, the undulations of dreams, and sudden leaps of consciousness.
Charles BaudelaireRead
There is no sweeter pleasure than to surprise a man by giving him more than he hopes for.
Charles BaudelaireRead
The priest is an immense being because he makes the crowd believe astonishing things.
Charles BaudelaireRead
I consider it useless and tedious to represent what exists, because nothing that exists satisfies me. Nature is ugly, and I prefer the monsters of my fancy to what is positively trivial.
Charles BaudelaireRead
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