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
Nature is a temple in which living columns sometimes emit confused words. Man approaches it through forests of symbols, which observe him with familiar glances.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that nature is a sacred place that communicates with us in subtle, often confusing ways.
In this quote, Baudelaire expresses the idea that nature is akin to a temple where every element plays a part in a grand symphony of existence. The 'living columns' represent trees and other natural elements, while the 'confused words' imply the multitude of messages and emotions that nature conveys. The imagery of 'forests of symbols' indicates that to truly understand nature, one must interpret the languages and signs that surround us, which reflect our own humanity and connection to the environment.
Themes
NatureSymbolsCommunicationExistenceHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about environmental conservation to emphasize the importance of understanding our connection to nature.
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.
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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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