THE MENTOR 1916.03.01, No. 102,
Chinese Rugs

A Thing of Beauty

No word in the language is more abused than “beauty.”A pretty thing is a thing of beauty; a pretty pictureis a picture of beauty; and so following. Lackinga proper descriptive term for anything attractive, we,too often, employ the word “beauty.” What term havewe then with which to pay just tribute to true beauty?

The real, final test of beauty is that it wears well—notin a material way, but in the qualities that aretruly beautiful. The rose is fragile material and itslife is brief, but rose beauty is lasting and rose fragranceclings sweetly to the memory—so that the rose has becomea synonym of beauty. The message of true beautyis enduring and, oft repeated, grows in charm. “A thingof beauty is a joy forever.”

A distinguishing attribute of true beauty isauthority. A thing of beauty bears on its veryforefront the stamp of authority. It does not plead forrecognition—it commands it. The snow-capped summitat sundown, the Madonna face on a master’s canvas,the poet’s “lofty rhyme,” the fragrant flower, theharmonious symphony, the “frozen music” of architecture—thecountless varied forms of beauty in nature, artand life ask no favor nor do they play to the fancy ofthe moment. Created in intelligence, sincerity andtruth, and inspired by lofty devotion, they compel alasting homage.