Immanuel Kant

"Even the song of birds, which we can bring under no musical rule, seems to have more freedom, and therefore more for taste, than a song of a human being which is produced in accordance with all the rules of music; for we very much sooner weary of the latter, if it is repeated often and at length. Here, however, we probably confuse our participation in the mirth of a little creature that we love, with the beauty of its song; for if this were exactly imitated by man (as sometimes the notes of the nightingale are) it would seem to our ear quite devoid of taste."

31 likes

Source: Immanuel Kant (2016). “The Critique of Judgement”, p.94, Jester House Publishing

About the author

Immanuel Kant

Immanuel Kant

Philosopher

Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher known for his work in ethics and epistemology, particularly through his influential text 'Critique of Pure Reason.'

All quotes by Immanuel Kant →

Same author

More quotes by Immanuel Kant

See all →
Immanuel Kant Philosopher

"If you punish a child for being naughty, and reward him for being good, he will do right merely for the sake of the reward; and when he goes out into the world and finds that goodness is not always rewarded, nor wickedness always punished, he will grow into a man who only thinks about how he may get on in the world, and does right or wrong according as he finds advantage to himself."

Read quote
Immanuel Kant Philosopher

"Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the oftener and more steadily we reflect on them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me."

Read quote
Immanuel Kant Philosopher

"Enlightenment is man's leaving his self-caused immaturity. Immaturity is the incapacity to use one's intelligence without the guidance of another. Such immaturity is self-caused if it is not caused by lack of intelligence, but by lack of determination and courage to use one's intelligence without being guided by another. Sapere Aude! Have the courage to use your own intelligence! is therefore the motto of the enlightenment."

Read quote