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Flaner est une science, c'est la gastronomie de l'?il. Se promener, c'est vegeter; flaner, c'est vivre... Flaner, c'est jouir, c'est recueillir des traits d'esprit, c'est admirer de sublimes tableaux de malheur, d'amour, de joie, des portraits gracieux ou grotesques; c'est plonger ses regards au fond de mille existences: jeune, c'est tout desirer, tout posseder; vieillard, c'est vivre de la vie des jeunes gens, c'est epouser leurs passions.

Honore de Balzac#22

PsychologyCultureExperienceLeisureLifestyleObservation

About this quote

What does it mean?
Strolling is a science, the gastronomy of the eye; walking is vegetating; strolling is living, enjoying, gathering thoughts, admiring scenes of misfortune, love, joy, graceful or grotesque portraits; it plunges the gaze into countless lives: the young desire everything, the old live through the young’s passions.
In plain terms
Leisurely wandering enriches perception, allowing one to absorb diverse experiences and emotions.
What can you take from it?
Take time to observe; it deepens understanding of life.

Where it applies

  • city walks
  • gallery visits

Putting it to work

  • practicing mindful strolling
  • keeping a visual journal

Questions to consider

  • What does ‘strolling’ reveal about society?
  • How can busy people incorporate observation?

Another view

Not everyone can afford the luxury of idle observation.

More from Honore de Balzac

  1. Qui ne voudrait pas rester persuade que ces femmes sont vertueuses? Ne sont-elles pas la fleur du pays? Ne sont-elles pas toutes verdissantes, ravissantes, eto…

    Permalink to quote #21
  2. Les moeurs sont l'hypocrisie des nations.

    Permalink to quote #23
  3. Il y a des femmes dont la grossesse fait sourire quelque celibataire sournois.

    Permalink to quote #20

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