The world progresses only through misunderstanding. Charles Baudelaire More Quotes by Charles Baudelaire More Quotes From Charles Baudelaire What a mysterious faculty is that queen of the faculties! Charles Baudelaire mysteriousqueensimagination On the vaporization and the centralization of the Self. All is there. Charles Baudelaire centralizationself That in all times, mediocrity has dominated, that is indubitable; but that it reigns more than ever, that it is becoming absolutely triumphant and inhibiting, this is what is as true as it is distressing. Charles Baudelaire reignmediocritybecoming I lived for a long time under vast porticos Charles Baudelaire pillarsfirelong In certain almost supernatural states of the soul, the profundity of life reveals itself entirely in the spectacle, however ordinary it may be, before one's eyes. It becomes its symbol. Charles Baudelaire perceptioneyesoul I am bored in France because everyone resembles Voltaire. Charles Baudelaire franceconformitybored I am the wound and the knife! Charles Baudelaire knivesselfheart The study of beauty is a duel in which the artist cries out in terror before he is defeated. Charles Baudelaire duelingartisthistory The priest is an immense being because he makes the crowd believe astonishing things. Charles Baudelaire crowdsliteraturebelieve Sexuality is the lyricism of the masses. Charles Baudelaire adulterysexualityliterature I have always been astonished that women were allowed to enter churches. What conversation can they possibly have with God? Charles Baudelaire hysteriaseductivedevil Progress, this great heresy of decay. Charles Baudelaire decayprogressliterature It would be difficult for me not to conclude that the most perfect type of masculine beauty is Satan, as portrayed by Milton. Charles Baudelaire satanicwould-beperfect La, tout n’est qu’ordre et beauté Luxe, calme et volupté There, there is nothing else but grace and measure, Richness, quietness, and pleasure. Charles Baudelaire richnesspleasuregrace Like those great sphinxes lounging through eternity in noble attitudes upon the desert sand, they gaze incuriously at nothing, calm and wise. Charles Baudelaire catwiseattitude Above my cradle loomed the bookcase where/ Latin ashes and the dust of Greece/ mingled with novels, history, and verse/ in one dark Babel. I was folio-high/ when I first heard the voices. Charles Baudelaire dustdarklatin The solitary and thoughtful stroller finds a singular intoxication in this universal communion. The man who loves to lose himself in a crowd enjoys feverish delights that the egoist locked up in himself as in a box, and the slothful man like a mollusk in his shell, will be eternally deprived of. He adopts as his own all the occupations, all the joys and all the sorrows that chance offers. Charles Baudelaire thoughtfuljoymen Go then, a starveling girl With no perfume or pearls, Only your nudity O my beauty! Charles Baudelaire nuditypearlsgirl These beings have no other status, but that of cultivating the idea of beauty in their own persons, of satisfying their passions, of feeling and thinking.... Contrary to what many thoughtless people seem to believe, dandyism is not even an excessive delight in clothes and material elegance. For the perfect dandy, these things are no more than the symbol of the aristocratic superiority of his mind. Charles Baudelaire passionbelievethinking How bittersweet it is, on winter's night, Charles Baudelaire winternightmemories
