When Source the candles are out, all women are fair.
This simple, provocative line cuts through centuries of discourse on beauty. Attributed to the Greek historian and philosopher Plutarch, it forces us to confront a fundamental question. What is beauty, and how much of it depends on what we see? Plutarch was not just a storyteller of great lives in his famous It challenges us to look beyond the surface. In a world without light, visual judgments fade away. Consequently, other qualities must come to the forefront. Plutarch prompts his readers to consider what remains when the superficial is stripped away. The statement is not merely about physical appearance. Instead, it is a powerful metaphor for perception itself.
The Veil of Darkness: Perception vs. Reality
At its core, Plutarch’s aphorism is a commentary on the fallibility of our senses. Our eyes, in particular, can be easily deceived. Light creates shadows, highlights flaws, and emphasizes features that society deems beautiful or plain. However, when you extinguish the candles, you remove the primary tool of visual assessment. This act levels the playing field. It suggests that our perception of beauty is heavily reliant on external conditions, not on an intrinsic, unchanging quality.
This idea aligns with broader philosophical traditions. Ancient Greek thinkers were fascinated with the difference between appearance and reality. Plato, a major influence on Plutarch, argued that our sensory world is merely a shadow of a truer, ideal reality. While Plutarch’s statement is more practical, it echoes this skepticism. He suggests that what we perceive as “beauty” is a construct, one that vanishes with the light. In the darkness, we are forced to rely on other senses and, more importantly, on our judgment of character, wit, and kindness.
Furthermore, the darkness does not necessarily create a lie. Instead, it might reveal a more profound truth. It removes the bias of sight. This allows for an assessment based on deeper, more meaningful attributes. The quote implies that true fairness, or equality, emerges when the superficial distinctions that dominate our social interactions are gone. It is a radical call to re-evaluate our priorities.
Deconstructing Societal Standards
Plutarch wrote during a time when physical ideals were well-defined. Greek art and literature celebrated specific forms of beauty. By stating that all women are fair in the dark, he subtly critiques these rigid standards. He highlights their contingency on something as fickle as candlelight. This observation is a powerful critique of societal norms that place immense value on a narrow definition of physical attractiveness.
Indeed, the quote exposes beauty as a performance. Source It requires the right lighting and the right audience. Without these elements, the entire construct can collapse. This perspective encourages us to question who creates these standards and why we follow them. Plutarch, as a moralist, was deeply concerned with virtue and character. He consistently argued that a person’s inner worth was far more significant than their outer shell. The quote about the candles serves as a memorable, concise illustration of this core belief.
In essence, the absence of light becomes a metaphor for looking beyond the physical. It challenges the observer to find value in what they can hear, feel, and understand. This includes a person’s intellect, their humor, and their moral compass. These are qualities that do not fade when the lights go out. They are the substance of a person, something Plutarch believed was the only true measure of their being.
The Ethics of Deception and Inner Worth
Is the darkness a tool of deception, or is it a source of clarity? Plutarch’s quote masterfully plays with this ambiguity. On one hand, the darkness could be seen as hiding flaws, thus deceiving an observer. It conceals wrinkles, scars, and features that might not align with conventional beauty standards. This interpretation paints a somewhat cynical picture of human relationships, suggesting they are built on a foundation of managed appearances.
However, a deeper reading offers a more optimistic view. The deception might not lie in the darkness but in the light. Daylight and candlelight create illusions of their own. They elevate the superficial and distract us from what truly matters. Therefore, the darkness does not deceive; it liberates. It frees us from the “tyranny of the eye” and allows for a more authentic connection between individuals. When visual cues are removed, we must engage with the person themselves, not with our preconceived notions of their appearance.
This theme connects directly to Plutarch’s ethical framework. Throughout the Moralia, he explores how to live a virtuous life. A key part of this is developing sound judgment. Relying solely on sight is a failure of judgment. True wisdom involves perceiving the character and soul of another person. Consequently, the quote acts as a moral lesson. It teaches us to be wary of snap judgments based on appearance. It encourages a deeper, more thoughtful mode of engagement with the world and the people in it.
Conclusion: Plutarch’s Timeless Insight
Plutarch’s simple statement about candles and beauty remains incredibly relevant. In our modern world, we are constantly bombarded with curated images. Social media filters and digital alterations have become the new candlelight, shaping our perceptions in powerful ways. We live in an age where appearance is often prioritized above all else. The pressure to conform to specific beauty standards is immense.
Therefore, Plutarch’s wisdom offers a necessary antidote. It reminds us that the qualities we value most are not visual. Integrity, intelligence, compassion, and humor are the characteristics that form the bedrock of meaningful relationships. These are the traits that endure long after the lights have gone out. The quote is more than just a witty observation; it is a timeless piece of philosophical advice. It urges us to actively look beyond the surface, to question our own biases, and to seek the enduring light of character in a world obsessed with fleeting appearances.