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Full Idea
Everything beautiful is a self-illuminated, perfect individual.
Gist of Idea
Only self-illuminated perfect individuals are beautiful
Source
Novalis (Miscellaneous Observations [1798], 101)
Book Ref
Novalis: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Stoljar,M.M. [SUNY 1997], p.41
A Reaction
It is a commonplace to describe something beautiful as being 'perfect'. Unfinished masterpieces are interesting exceptions. Are only 'individuals' beautiful? Is unity a necessary condition of beauty? Bad art fails to be self-illuminated.
| 19571 | Delusion and truth differ in their life functions [Novalis] |
| 19572 | Experiences tests reason, and reason tests experience [Novalis] |
| 19573 | The seat of the soul is where our inner and outer worlds interpenetrate [Novalis] |
| 19574 | If man sacrifices truth he sacrifices himself, by acting against his own convictions [Novalis] |
| 19575 | Refinement of senses increasingly distinguishes individuals [Novalis] |
| 19576 | Religion needs an intermediary, because none of us can connect directly to a godhead [Novalis] |
| 19577 | Everything is a chaotic unity, then we abstract, then we reunify the world into a free alliance [Novalis] |
| 19578 | Only self-illuminated perfect individuals are beautiful [Novalis] |