"The essence of the beautiful is unity in variety"
- W. Somerset Maugham
About this Quote
This quote by W. Somerset Maugham speaks to the concept that elegance is located in the mix of various aspects. It recommends that elegance is not discovered in one single component, yet instead in the combination of several aspects. This concept of unity in variety indicates that elegance is developed when various elements are combined in a harmonious means. This could be applied to many different facets of life, such as art, songs, as well as nature. For instance, a painting might be stunning because of the way the shades as well as forms are incorporated to produce a merged composition. Likewise, an opus may be lovely because of the method the various tools and melodies are mixed together. Nature also gives lots of instances of unity in range, such as a landscape with its several elements, such as trees, hills, as well as rivers, all interacting to produce a gorgeous scene. Inevitably, this quote by W. Somerset Maugham speaks to the idea that elegance is found in the mix of different elements, and that unity in variety is the significance of the beautiful.
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