Quote#Beauty
The Taste of Beauty, and the Relish of what is decent, just, and…
Quote byAnthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury · 1671–1713
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times (1711), Vol. 2, p. 207; "Miscellany III"..
English (original)
The Taste of Beauty, and the Relish of what is decent, just, and amiable, perfects the Character of the Gentleman, and the Philosopher. And the Study of such a Taste or Relish will, as we suppose, be ever the great Employment and Concern of him, who covets as well to be wise and good, as agreeable and polite.
— Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury
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How comes it to pass then, that we appear such Cowards in reasoning, and are so afraid to stand the Test of Ridicule?
We may have an excellent Ear in Musick, without being able to perform in any kind. We may judg well of Poetry, without being Poets, or possessing the least of a Poetick Vein: But we can have no tolerable Notion of Goodness, without being …