“Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.”
- January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849
- American
- Novelist, poet, critic
- A pioneer of Gothic and detective novels, he wrote works such as “The Black Cat,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.”
Quote
“Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.”
Explanation
In this quote, Edgar Allan Poe suggests that the experience of true beauty, when it is at its most perfect or supreme, has the power to deeply move the sensitive soul. For Poe, beauty is not just an aesthetic or intellectual appreciation but something that touches the emotional core of the observer. The idea that beauty can invoke tears speaks to its emotional potency—its ability to awaken a profound, almost overwhelming response. This response may come from the recognition of something truly elevating or sublime in the world, and the tears signify an emotional release or a form of acknowledgment of beauty’s transcendent power.
Poe, as a Romantic poet, often explored the idea that beauty, particularly in its most elevated forms, is capable of stirring the soul in a way that transcends the ordinary experiences of life. This connection between beauty and emotion reflects a central theme of Romanticism, where art, nature, and human experience were valued for their ability to evoke deep feelings and spiritual insight. Poe’s own writing, often marked by its melancholic beauty, explores how beauty—whether in a person, an idea, or a moment—can resonate with the soul in ways that cannot be easily explained, but only felt.
In modern contexts, this quote continues to speak to the transformative power of beauty in all its forms. Whether it is experienced through art, nature, or music, true beauty still has the ability to move us deeply, often evoking tears or feelings of awe and wonder. In a world that often values the practical or functional, Poe’s words remind us that there are moments when beauty transcends the mundane and connects us to something greater, higher, and timeless. This quote encourages us to embrace the emotional impact of beauty, recognizing it as a universal language that speaks directly to the heart and soul.
