Prejudices are what fools use for reason.
VoltaireRead
To a toad what is beauty? A female with two lovely pop-eyes, a wide mouth, yellow belly, and green spotted back.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Beauty is subjective and varies significantly across different perspectives and experiences.
In this quote, Voltaire emphasizes the idea that beauty is not universal but instead dependent on individual perception. He uses the example of a toad's perspective, illustrating that what one finds beautiful can vary drastically from another's viewpoint, ultimately reflecting the diversity of standards by which beauty is judged in nature and society.
Themes
BeautySubjectivityPerceptionPhilosophyNature
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about beauty standards in different cultures.
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We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies - it is the first law of nature.
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