"In the matter of furnishing, I find a certain absence of ugliness far worse than ugliness"

This quote by Sidonie Gabrielle Colette speaks with the value of aesthetics in our lives. She is suggesting that a lack of appeal or ugliness is worse than ugliness itself. This might be translated in a few ways. To start with, it might be viewed as a commentary on the significance of charm in our lives. We typically aim to make our houses and lives visually pleasing, and Colette is recommending that an absence of beauty is worse than having something that is awful.

It might also be translated as a commentary on the significance of imagination and art in our lives. A lack of imagination or art can be seen as a kind of ugliness, and Colette is suggesting that this is even worse than having something that is visually displeasing.

Lastly, it could be viewed as a commentary on the importance of having a meaningful life. A life without purpose or significance can be seen as a sort of ugliness, and Colette is recommending that this is even worse than having something that is visually displeasing.

In general, this quote speaks to the importance of charm, creativity, and significance in our lives. Colette is recommending that an absence of these things is even worse than having something that is aesthetically displeasing.