The beauty of nature observed in its unfolding: discovering beauty in what lies before us.

We ought to observe also that even the things which follow after the things which are produced according to nature contain something pleasing and attractive. For instance, when bread is baked some parts are split at the surface, and these parts which thus open, and have a certain fashion contrary to the purpose of the baker’s art, are beautiful in a manner, and in a peculiar way excite a desire for eating. And again, figs, when they are quite ripe, gape open; and in the ripe olives the very circumstance of their being near to rottenness adds a peculiar beauty to the fruit. And the ears of corn bending down, and the lion’s eyebrows, and the foam which flows from the mouth of wild boars, and many other things- though they are far from being beautiful, if people should examine them severally- still, because they are consequent upon the things which are formed by nature, help to adorn them, and they please the mind; so that if people should have a feeling and deeper insight with respect to the things which are produced in the universe, there is hardly one of those which follow by way of consequence which will not seem to them to be in a manner disposed so as to give pleasure. And so they will see even the real gaping jaws of wild beasts with no less pleasure than those which painters and sculptors show by imitation; and in an old woman and an old man they will be able to see a certain maturity and comeliness; and the attractive loveliness of young persons they will be able to look on with chaste eyes; and many such things will present themselves, not pleasing to everyone, but to those only who have become truly familiar with nature and her works.

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, trans. G. Long, revised.