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
To handle a language skillfully is to practice a kind of evocative sorcery.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Mastering a language allows one to express thoughts and emotions powerfully.
Baudelaire suggests that the ability to manipulate language is akin to practicing magic; it enables one to create vivid images and evoke deep emotions in others. This mastery transforms mere words into tools of influence and connection, illustrating the profound impact that language has on communication and human experience.
Themes
LanguageSkillCommunicationInfluenceExpression
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about the power of education, this quote can emphasize the importance of language skills.
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.
Charles BaudelaireRead
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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