Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them.

David Hume

More information about this quote

Topic

Nature of beauty Beauty Relativism

Author

David Hume

Source

Of the Standard of Taste Essays, Moral, Political and Literary

Medium

Essay

Language

English

Time

1758 1750s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Occupation

Philosopher Writer

From

United Kingdom Europe

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Hume, David. "Of the Standard of Taste." Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary. Edinburgh: A. Kincaid, 1758, pt. 1, no. 23.

Current Citation

Hume, David. "Of the Standard of Taste." Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary: Volumes 1 and 2, edited by Tom L. Beauchamp and Mark A Box. Oxford University Press, 2022, pt. 1, no. 23.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by David Hume about nature of beauty: “Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind…”
Download
A quote by David Hume about nature of beauty: “Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind…”
Download
A quote by David Hume about nature of beauty: “Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind…”
Download

Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote from the 1750s

Old Boys have their Playthings as well as young Ones; the Difference is only in the Price.

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)

Buy Poor Richard's Almanack at Amazon Buy Poor Richard's Almanack at Amazon
Read this proverb at the National Archives website
More information about this quote
Topic
Youth vs. old age Expensive hobbies Hobbies

Author

Poor Richard (Benjamin Franklin)
Source
Poor Richard's Almanack
Medium
Almanac
Statement Type
Proverbs, aphorisms and adages
Language
English
Time
1752 1750s 18th century
Era
Colonial America
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Franklin, Benjamin [published as Richard Saunders]. Poor Richard Improved. Philadelphia, 1752.

Current Citation

Franklin, Benjamin. "Poor Richard Improved." Benjamin Franklin: Autobiography, Poor Richard, and Later Writings, edited by J. A. Leo Lemay. Library of America, 2005.

Another quote about Beauty

Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can't take it, and my heart is just going to cave in.

American Beauty

Watch American Beauty at Amazon Watch American Beauty at Amazon
More information about this quote
Topic
Beauty The world Feeling overwhelmed
Speaker
Ricky Fitts
Actor
Wes Bentley
Source
American Beauty
Medium
Film
Genre
Black comedy (film) Comedy drama (film) Black comedy Comedy drama
Language
English
Time
1999 1990s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

American Beauty. Directed by Sam Mendes, Jinks/Cohen Company, 1999.

Another quote from Age of Enlightenment

A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.

Alexander Pope

An Essay on Criticism

Read An Essay on Criticism at Poetry Foundation
More information about this quote
Topic
Downsides of education Education Ignorance

Author

Alexander Pope
Source
An Essay on Criticism
Medium
Poem
Language
English
Time
1711 1710s 18th century
Era
Age of Enlightenment
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Pope, Alexander, [published anonymously]. "An Essay on Criticism." London: W. Lewis, 1711, pt. 2, l. 215-218.

Current Citation

Pope, Alexander. "An Essay on Criticism." Alexander Pope: The Major Works, edited by Pat Rogers. Oxford University Press, 2009, pt. 2, I. 215-218.