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Quote#Politics & Power

The word "Blue" does not mean the sensation caused by a gentian on…

Quote byJohn Ruskin · 1819–1900

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Modern Painters (1843-1860), Volume III, part IV, chapter XII (1856).

English (original)

The word "Blue" does not mean the sensation caused by a gentian on the human eye; but it means the power of producing that sensation: and this power is always there, in the thing, whether we are there to experience it or not, and would remain there though there were not a man left on the face of the earth.

— John Ruskin

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