“Beauty has as many meanings as man has moods. Beauty is the symbol of symbols. Beauty reveals everything, because it expresses nothing. When it shows us itself, it shows us the whole fiery-coloured world.”
- October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900
- Irish
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels, plays, and poems such as “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Salome,” he had a great influence on British literature in the late 19th century through his witty social criticism and humor.
Quote
“Beauty has as many meanings as man has moods. Beauty is the symbol of symbols. Beauty reveals everything, because it expresses nothing. When it shows us itself, it shows us the whole fiery-coloured world.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde explores the elusive nature of beauty, suggesting that its meaning is subjective and changes with every individual and their emotional state. Just as a person’s mood shifts and changes, so does their perception of beauty. Wilde argues that beauty is not a fixed concept but rather something that can be interpreted in infinite ways depending on one’s personal experience or state of mind. By calling beauty the “symbol of symbols,” Wilde emphasizes that beauty is an abstract representation—it is not about any particular thing but about the idea or feeling it evokes.
He goes on to say that beauty reveals everything but expresses nothing, meaning that beauty has the power to evoke deep feelings or reveal profound truths without ever needing to state or explain anything directly. It is silent, yet it communicates a multitude of meanings to the observer. The quote concludes with the idea that beauty, in its most pure form, shows us the world in its fullest and most vibrant expression—the “fiery-coloured world” representing the emotional and dynamic nature of life that beauty reflects.
In modern contexts, this quote speaks to the complexity of beauty and how it operates beyond mere aesthetics. Wilde’s words challenge us to think about beauty not as something fixed or easily defined but as something that transcends language and can express a multitude of emotions and experiences. It invites us to embrace the subjectivity of beauty and appreciate how it can reveal profound insights without needing to explain them. Wilde’s emphasis on beauty’s silence and its ability to express the fullness of life through subtlety and emotion remains a timeless reflection on the power of art and nature to touch the human soul.
