Who seems most hideous when adorned the most.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Adorning something hideous only highlights its ugliness rather than hiding it.
- In plain terms
- Putting decorations on something ugly makes it look worse.
- What can you take from it?
- Surface beauty cannot fix deep flaws.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does style mask substance?
- When does ornamentation backfire?
Another view
This could be interpreted as an insult to specific people or objects.
More from Ludovico Ariosto
But that he wrought so high the specious tale, As manifested plainly 'twas a lie.
Permalink to quote #3 Man proposes, and God disposes.
Permalink to quote #5 For rarely man escapes his destiny.
Permalink to quote #2
Related quotes
There are women who are not beautiful but only look that way.
Karl KrausKarl Kraus quote #1 But he who loveliness within Hath found, all outward loathes, For he who color loves, and skin, Loves but their oldest clothes.
John DonneJohn Donne quote #8 Truth, Goodness, Beauty - those celestial thrins, Continually are born; e'en now the Universe, With thousand throats, and eke with greener smiles, Its joy conf…
Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau quote #13