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We find things beautiful because we recognize them and contrariwise we find things beautiful because their novelty surprises us.
W. Somerset Maugham
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Beauty is perceived in familiar things as well as in the surprise of new experiences.

This quote by W. Somerset Maugham suggests that our appreciation of beauty is twofold: we find beauty in things we recognize and understand, which gives us comfort and familiarity, while we also thrill to the beauty of novel experiences that astound and surprise us. Together, these aspects of beauty enrich our lives and shape our perceptions.

Themes

BeautyNoveltyRecognitionPerceptionArt

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of art in our lives.

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Quote by W. Somerset Maugham | QuoteProject