The analysis of concepts is for the understanding nothing more than what the magnifying glass is for sight
Moses MendelssohnRead
We consider the beauty of nature and art with pleasure and satisfaction, without the slightest movement of desire. Instead, it appears to be a particular mark of beauty that it is considered with tranquil satisfaction; that it pleases if we also do not possess it and we are still far removed from demanding to possess it
Interpretation
What this quote means
The appreciation of beauty in nature and art can be experienced without the desire to own it.
Moses Mendelssohn expresses the idea that true appreciation of beauty, whether in nature or art, comes from a place of tranquility and satisfaction. This appreciation does not stem from a desire to possess the beautiful object but rather from a genuine enjoyment and recognition of its beauty, highlighting that one can find pleasure in beauty even when it is unattainable or distant.
Themes
BeautyNatureArtAppreciationSatisfaction
In practice
Example use cases
During a nature hike, I shared this quote to emphasize the joy of enjoying the landscape without the need to own it.
More from Moses Mendelssohn
All quotes →Judaism boasts of no exclusive revelation of eternal truths that are indispensable to salvation, of no revealed religion in the sense in which that term is usually understood.
Moses MendelssohnRead
Both state and church have as their object actions as well as convictions, the former insofar as they are based on the relations between man and nature, the latter insofar as they are based on the relations between nature and God.
Moses MendelssohnRead
We would be able neither to remember nor to reflect nor to compare nor to think, indeed, we would not even be the person who we were a moment ago, if our concepts were divided among many and were not to be encountered somewhere together in their most exact combination.
Moses MendelssohnRead
Consciousness of myself, combined with complete ignorance of everything that does not fall within my sphere of thinking, is the most telling proof of my substantiality outside God, of my original existence
Moses MendelssohnRead
My religion recognizes no obligation to resolve doubt other than through rational means; and it commands no mere faith in eternal truths
Moses MendelssohnRead
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