SECTION XXI.

UGLINESS.

It may perhaps appear like a sort of repetition of what we have before

said, to insist here upon the nature of _ugliness_; as I imagine it to

be in all respects the opposite to those qualities which we have laid

down for the constituents of beauty. But though ugliness be the opposite

to beauty, it is not the opposite to proportion and fitness. For it is

possible that a thing may be very ugly with any proportions, and with a

perfect fitness to any uses. Ugliness I imagine likewise to be

consistent enough with an idea of the sublime. But I would by no means

insinuate that ugliness of itself is a sublime idea, unless united with

such qualities as excite a strong terror.

The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 01 (of 12) · 第 21 / 31 章