Ralph Waldo Emerson1803–1882As soon as beauty is sought not from religion and love, but for pleasure, it degrades the seeker.
- The Conduct of Life (1860), Beauty
- Nature (1836), Beauty
He thought it happier to be dead,
To die for Beauty, than live for bread.May-Day and Other Pieces (1867), BeautyTell them, dear, that if eyes were made for seeing,
Then Beauty is its own excuse for beingThe Rhodora (1839)In context
