“Beauty awakens the soul to act.”
- c. 1265 – September 14, 1321
- Italian
- Poet, Writer, Philosopher, Author of The Divine Comedy
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Quote
“Beauty awakens the soul to act.”
Explanation
This quote is commonly attributed to Dante Alighieri, the author of The Divine Comedy, but there is no reliable historical source confirming that he actually wrote or said these exact words. The phrase does not appear in his major works in this form, either in the original Italian or in translations. It may be a modern paraphrasing or misattribution, inspired by the themes found in his writings.
Dante often wrote about beauty—especially divine and spiritual beauty—as a force that moves the soul toward higher truths. In The Divine Comedy, for instance, Beatrice’s beauty is not just physical but symbolic of divine wisdom and grace, guiding Dante toward salvation. While the sentiment of the quote aligns with Dante’s worldview, particularly his belief in the transformative power of love and beauty, this specific phrasing seems to be a modern construction.
Because of the lack of verifiable origin, an in-depth explanation is not appropriate. However, it is important to note that even spurious quotes can reflect authentic interpretations of an author’s themes. In this case, the idea that beauty inspires the soul to moral or spiritual action is consistent with Dante’s broader philosophical and theological concerns.
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