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
Where are the dogs going? you people who pay so little attention ask. They are going about their business. And they are very punctilious, without wallets, notes, and without briefcases.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the focused, simple, and purposeful nature of dogs compared to human distractions.
In this quote, Charles Baudelaire illustrates the unfocused and often chaotic nature of human life in contrast to the straightforward and dedicated existence of dogs. He suggests that while people often overlook the significance of dogs' actions and purpose, these animals are engaged in their own lives, free from the burdens of material possessions and societal expectations, serving as a reminder of the beauty in simplicity and attentiveness to one's own path.
Themes
DogsLifePurposeAttentionSimplicity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about finding happiness in the simple things.
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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.
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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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