That which is not slightly distorted lacks sensible appeal; from which it follows that irregularity β that is to say, the unexpected, surprise and astonishment, are a essential part and characteristic of beauty.
Charles BaudelaireRead
My dear brothers, never forget, when you hear the progress of enlightenment vaunted, that the devil's best trick is to persuade you that he doesn't exist!
Interpretation
What this quote means
Beware of deception; the idea that evil does not exist can be its most persuasive trick.
This quote by Charles Baudelaire emphasizes the insidious nature of evil and deception. It serves as a reminder to remain vigilant and aware of the darker forces that might influence our lives, even when they are not immediately visible. Ignoring the existence of such forces can lead to complacency, making it easier for them to manipulate and control us.
Themes
DeceptionEvilEnlightenmentVigilanceAwareness
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about moral integrity, one might quote Baudelaire to highlight the importance of recognizing the existence of evil.
More from Charles Baudelaire
All quotes βThe 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.
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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.
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There is no sweeter pleasure than to surprise a man by giving him more than he hopes for.
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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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