“I have often said that the lure of flying is the lure of beauty.”
- July 24, 1897 – July 2, 1937
- American
- Air pilot
- First woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and set many aviation records
Quote
“I have often said that the lure of flying is the lure of beauty.”
Explanation
In this quote, Amelia Earhart connects her passion for flying to the aesthetic experience it offers. For her, flying was not just a means of transportation or a professional pursuit; it was an immersive experience that allowed her to witness the world from a perspective few others could. The “lure of beauty” refers to the mesmerizing and breathtaking sights that only flight can provide—the vast expanse of the sky, the changing landscapes below, and the sense of freedom and wonder that comes with soaring through the air. For Earhart, this beauty was both literal, in the landscapes she saw, and figurative, in the sense of freedom and possibility that flying represented.
Earhart’s words also suggest that the act of flying involves more than just technical skill; it is an artistic pursuit that requires an appreciation for the sublime. She was deeply aware that aviation, in its elegance and complexity, could be an expression of beauty, not just a mechanical feat. In many ways, this view reflects her overall attitude toward life, where she believed that exploration, both in terms of physical space and personal boundaries, was deeply tied to a sense of aesthetic joy and personal fulfillment. The beauty she experienced through flight was not just in the sights she saw, but in the very act of flying itself—an act that embodied courage, adventure, and the pursuit of dreams.
In modern times, the allure of flying still resonates for many, whether in the literal experience of flight or through the metaphor of freedom and possibility it evokes. The rise of aerial photography and space exploration has further enhanced our sense of wonder about the world from above, offering new ways to see and understand our planet. Earhart’s recognition of the beauty in flight continues to inspire those who are drawn to the skies, whether as pilots, travelers, or dreamers seeking to explore and experience the world from a higher perspective.
