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Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them.
David Hume
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Beauty is a subjective experience that is shaped by individual perception and contemplation.

This quote by David Hume emphasizes the idea that beauty is not an inherent property of objects but rather exists in the mind of the observer. It suggests that our perceptions and thoughts about the world determine what we find beautiful, highlighting the subjective nature of beauty and the importance of personal contemplation in appreciating it.

Themes

BeautyPerceptionMindContemplationSubjectivity

In practice

Example use cases

You could use this quote in an art class discussion to illustrate how different viewers perceive artwork differently.

More from David Hume

Your corn is ripe today; mine will be so tomorrow. 'Tis profitable for us both, that I should labour with you today, and that you should aid me tomorrow.
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Eloquence, at its highest pitch, leaves little room for reason or reflection, but addresses itself entirely to the desires and affections, captivating the willing hearers, and subduing their understanding.
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All that belongs to human understanding, in this deep ignorance and obscurity, is to be sceptical, or at least cautious, and not to admit of any hypothesis whatever, much less of any which is supported by no appearance of probability.
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The great end of all human industry is the attainment of happiness
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There is a very remarkable inclination in human nature to bestow on external objects the same emotions which it observes in itself, and to find every where those ideas which are most present to it.
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To have recourse to the veracity of the supreme Being, in order to prove the veracity of our senses, is surely making a very unexpected circuit.
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