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
Drink wine, drink poetry, drink virtue.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote encourages indulging in life's pleasures, such as wine, creativity, and morality.
Charles Baudelaire's quote suggests that one should embrace and enjoy the finer aspects of life, including not only physical pleasures like wine but also the beauty of poetry and the importance of virtuous living. It highlights the connection between art, ethics, and the sensory experiences that enrich our existence, inviting us to immerse ourselves fully in cultural and moral experiences.
Themes
WinePoetryVirtueArtPleasure
In practice
Example use cases
During a wine tasting event, to inspire guests about enjoying not just the wine but the artistry behind it.
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.
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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A painter's tastes must grow out of what so obsesses him in life that he never has to ask himself what it is suitable for him to do in art.
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