The contemplation of beauty, whether it be a uniquely tinted sunset, a radiant face, or a work of art, makes us glance back unwittingly at our personal past and juxtapose ourselves and our inner being with the utterly unattainable beauty revealed to us.
In this reflection on beauty, Nabokov highlights how experiences of beauty, from nature to human expressions and art, prompt introspection. We find ourselves looking back at our own histories, evaluating our lives and identities in light of the stunning, often unreachable beauty we encounter.
This juxtaposition serves as a reminder of our own imperfections and limitations. Through moments of appreciation for beauty, we become acutely aware of the distance between our reality and the ideal, leading to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our aspirations.
Rate the Quote
User Reviews
Other quotes in book quote
All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
