Everything
which is in any way beautiful is beautiful in itself, and terminates
in itself, not having praise as part of itself. Neither worse then
nor better is a thing made by being praised. I affirm this also of
the things which are called beautiful by the vulgar, for example,
material things and works of art. That which is really beautiful has
no need of anything; not more than law, not more than truth, not more
than benevolence or modesty. Which of these things is beautiful
because it is praised, or spoiled by being blamed? Is such a thing as
an emerald made worse than it was, if it is not praised? Or gold,
ivory, purple, a lyre, a little knife, a flower, a shrub?
(podcast episode) (original Greek)
No comments:
Post a Comment