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About this quote

What does it mean?
True beauty is inherent and does not require external decorations to be appreciated.
In plain terms
Things are most beautiful when they are natural and simple.
What can you take from it?
Value natural qualities over artificial embellishments.

Where it applies

  • describing a person
  • design feedback
  • art criticism

Putting it to work

  • focus on core features
  • avoid over-decoration
  • appreciate simplicity

Questions to consider

  • What makes something truly beautiful?
  • Do you value natural or crafted beauty?

Another view

Some contexts genuinely benefit from added ornamentation.

More from James Thomson

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  2. Or where the Northern ocean, in vast whirls, Boils round the naked melancholy isles Of farthest Thule, and th' Atlantic surge Pours in among the stormy Hebride…

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  3. Crowned with the sickle, and the wheaten sheaf, While Autumn, nodding o'er the yellow plain, Comes jovial on.

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