Tell troth and shame the devil.
Ben JonsonRead
Give me a look, give me a face, That makes simplicity a grace Robes loosely flowing, hair as free Such sweet neglect more taketh me Than all the adulteries of art: They strike mine eyes, but not my heart.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote praises natural beauty and simplicity over artificial or elaborate appearances.
In this excerpt from Ben Jonson, the speaker expresses a deep appreciation for the beauty found in simplicity and naturalness. The imagery of loose robes and free-flowing hair symbolizes a carefree and genuine spirit, which is far more appealing than the superficial allure of artifice and complexity. The speaker values the emotional connection and honest charm that comes from simplicity, contrasting it with the deceitful and hollow nature of ostentatious beauty created by art.
Themes
BeautySimplicityNaturalArtEmotion
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on the importance of natural beauty in art.
More from Ben Jonson
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I know no disease of the soul but ignorance, a pernicious evil, the darkener of man's life, the disturber of his reason, and common confounder of truth.
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