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"The lover knows much more about absolute good and universal beauty than any logician or theologian."

George Santayana
George Santayana Philosopher
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Quote meaning
Love is a powerful thing. When you love deeply, you gain insights that go beyond what any book or theory could ever teach you. Lovers, those who experience profound affection, understand the essence of goodness and beauty on a level that far surpasses the intellectual grasp of scholars or theologians. This isn’t to say that logic and theology aren’t valuable—they have their place. But there’s something about love that touches the core of what it means to be human.

Historically, this idea isn’t new. Think about the poets and artists throughout history who’ve tried to capture love’s essence. They weren’t just theorizing; they were living it. Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, explored this in his works. He suggested that through love, especially the love of beauty, people could glimpse the divine. It’s like love serves as a bridge between the mundane and the sublime.

Let’s dive into a real-life example. Imagine a mother looking at her newborn child. No treatise on ethics or aesthetics could capture the depth of her feelings. In that moment, she isn’t thinking about the baby’s logical worth or theological significance. She’s overwhelmed by a pure, unfiltered sense of love and beauty. She sees absolute goodness in her child’s tiny fingers and universal beauty in their innocent eyes. That’s something you can’t learn from a book; it’s felt deeply and personally.

So how do we apply this idea in our own lives? First off, it’s about embracing emotions and experiences. Don’t shy away from feelings, even if they’re intense or overwhelming. They offer insights that our rational minds can’t always grasp. Try to see the world through the lens of love more often. Whether it’s a hobby, a person, or a place, let yourself be fully immersed in it. Feel it with your heart, not just analyze it with your mind.

Now, let’s imagine a scenario. Picture yourself walking through a park. You see an elderly couple sitting on a bench, holding hands. They don’t need to say anything. The warmth between them is palpable. You can see years of shared experiences, both good and bad, in the way they look at each other. They probably know each other’s quirks and flaws better than anyone else—and yet, there’s a profound sense of acceptance and affection. That’s a living example of understanding goodness and beauty through love. It’s not about analyzing the factors that make a relationship work according to some theory. It’s about feeling and living it.

In essence, the wisdom here is to open your heart. Don’t get too bogged down in trying to rationalize everything. There’s a place for logic and theology, sure, but don’t let them overshadow the simple, profound insights that come from love. It’s about balance—embracing both the mind and the heart. After all, some things can only be truly understood when felt deeply.
Related tags
Aesthetics Beauty Goodness Human experience Intuition Knowledge Love Philosophy Wisdom
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