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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the longing for a style of writing that captures the essence of human emotion and dreams.
Charles Baudelaire expresses a deep desire for a form of poetic expression that transcends conventional structures, allowing for a unique and fluid connection to the emotional and dreamlike aspects of the human experience. He suggests that true art should resonate with the complexities of our inner thoughts and feelings, adapting to the various nuances of consciousness and inspiration.
Themes
PoetryArtDreamsEmotionExpression
In practice
Example use cases
A writer's workshop where participants discuss the importance of flowing language in capturing emotions.
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
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
Poetry and progress are like two ambitious men who hate one another with an instinctive hatred, and when they meet upon the same road, one of them has to give place.
Charles BaudelaireRead
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No artist has ethical sympathies. An ethical sympathy in an artist is an unpardonable mannerism of style.
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The defect in wisdom and taste which exists among the majority of dancers is due to the bad education which they generally receive. They apply themselves only to the material side of their art, they learn to jump more or less high, they strive mechanically to execute a number of steps, and like children, who utter a great many words devoid of sense and relation, they execute many phrases of steps devoid of taste and grace.
Jean-Georges NoverreRead
An incurable itch for scribbling takes possession of many, and grows inveterate in their insane breasts.
JuvenalRead