Full Idea
The most beautiful hand seen through the microscope will appear horrible.
Gist of Idea
The most beautiful hand seen through the microscope will appear horrible
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (Letters to Hugo Boxel [1674], 1674?)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics, Improvement of Understanding, Letters', ed/tr. Elwes,R [Dover 1955], p.382
A Reaction
Spinoza offers this nicely expressed point to support his view that beauty is strictly relative to observers, but I am unconvinced. If the outline of the hand is its key aesthetic feature, the viewer through the microscope cannot see it.