We live in the age of social media, where the beauty of the human body, designed like the Greek gods, is exploited to a level of narcissism unthinkable in other times.
Currently, social media platforms, such as Instagram, feature photographs of women and men as models of perfect beauty, sculpted in gyms, where exercise seeks body perfection by highlighting muscles.
We all succumb to human beauty, which is why both men and women describe their peers as attractive for their physique, the quality of their voice, their height, their education, and how pleasing they can be to the eye.
Politicians, singers, journalists, athletes, and media presenters have all exploited their professional talents, largely aided by their physical beauty.
Whenever a global summit is held on a transcendental issue, the now former Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, the President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, Princess Leonor, heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Spain, and the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, among others, always stand out.
The same is true in the world of singing, with the singer Adele, and in acting, with the actor Henry Cavill, both British. While in the world of swimming, all eyes were on Thomas Ceccon, the 23-year-old Italian swimmer who caused a sensation on social media after winning the gold medal in the men’s 100-meter backstroke final during the third day of competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
But what did philosophers and leading figures from the worlds of art, science, and culture have to say about human beauty?
‘I think what is called beauty resides only in the smile,’ argued the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. However, for the Swiss poet and novelist Hermann Hesse, beauty does not make the one who possesses it happy, but the one who can love it.’
‘Your outer beauty will capture the eyes, but your inner beauty will conquer the heart,’ said Steven Aitchison.
For the French fashion designer Coco Chanel: ‘Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself,’ and she was right because, sometimes, simplicity makes us more beautiful when we are authentic.
‘Someone is beautiful not because of how they look, but because of their personality and how they make others feel,’ confessed someone whose name has been recorded in history.
‘True beauty in a person is reflected in their soul,’ remarked actress Audrey Hepburn.
‘Let the beauty of what you love become what you do,’ Rumi.
‘Beauty is about enhancing what you already have, allow yourself to shine!’ Janelle Monae.
‘You are beautiful, no matter what anyone says, words can’t bring you down…’ commented singer Christina Aguilera.
‘Always remember the most important rule of beauty is: who cares?’ Tina Fey.
‘The part of my body I love most is my eyes because they bring beauty to me,’ said American actress Diane Keaton.
‘It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from… you are beautiful!’ argued former US First Lady and lawyer Michelle Obama.
My definition of beauty is: no rules! It could be the face of a beautiful 90-year-old woman, full of stories and emotions…
Beauty is what someone communicates with their gaze,” declared Spanish actress Penélope Cruz.
“Feeling comfortable in your own skin is one of the most important achievements you can have (I’m still working on it),” Kate Mara.
“I love my body and I would never change a thing about it. I’m not asking you to like my body, I’m just asking you to let me be myself,” commented former professional tennis player Serena Williams.
“It doesn’t matter what your size is, it doesn’t matter if you have cellulite, and it doesn’t matter if some parts jiggle when they shouldn’t… you are still beautiful,” Ashley Graham.
“I keep telling myself that I am a human being, an imperfect human being who is not made to be a doll.” And the person I am is more important than whether or not I have a good figure,’ Emma Watson.
‘You determine your own worth; you don’t have to depend on someone else telling you who you are,’ Beyoncé.
‘A woman has only one flaw: she doesn’t recognize how valuable she is,’ is one of fashion designer Carolina Herrera’s quotes for women who want to feel more confident and beautiful!
‘I can’t think of anything more attractive than a beautiful person whose outer beauty isn’t what truly attracts you to them,’ concluded someone whose name wasn’t recorded for the story about human beauty.
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