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The visible imperfections of hand-wrought goods, being honorific, are accounted marks of superiority in point of beauty, or serviceability, or both.
Thorstein Veblen
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Imperfections in handmade items add character and beauty, enhancing their value.

Thorstein Veblen suggests that the flaws inherent in handmade goods distinguish them from mass-produced items, elevating their beauty and functionality. This perspective honors the craftsmanship involved, as imperfections reveal authenticity and human effort, ultimately making these items more desirable.

Themes

ImperfectionsBeautyCraftsmanshipHandmadeAuthenticity

In practice

Example use cases

In an art gallery discussing the value of handmade pottery.

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With the exception of the instinct of self-preservation, the propensity for emulation is probably the strongest and most alert and persistent of the economic motives proper.
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The basis on which good repute in any highly organized industrial community ultimately rests is pecuniary strength; and the means of showing pecuniary strength, and so of gaining or retaining a good name, are leisure and a conspicuous consumption of goods.
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In itself and in its consequences the life of leisure is beautiful and ennobling in all civilised men's eyes.
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