Literary notes about Beatitude (AI summary)
The term “beatitude” has been used in literature to evoke a sense of deep, often transcendent happiness that encompasses both the physical and spiritual realms. In Chekhov’s works, for instance, it appears as a transient, almost fragile expression on a character’s face that can vanish with regret or sorrow ([1], [2], [3]), while in Montaigne’s essays it is depicted as an almost divine quality that illuminates all aspects of virtue ([4], [5]). Authors like Yogananda further develop the concept by linking beatitude with inner spiritual serenity and the renunciation of lower passions ([6], [7], [8]), whereas in the works of Doyle and Dostoyevsky, it marks moments of profound, genuine joy reflected openly in one’s demeanor ([9], [10]). Additionally, its ironic or rhetorical use—as in Dale Carnegie’s counsel on the merits of brevity ([11]) or Shelley’s envisioning of a future free from earthly suffering ([12])—demonstrates the rich versatility and enduring literary appeal of the word.
- The tax-collector saw the look of beatitude gradually vanish from his wife's face, saw how ashamed and miserable she was—and he felt a little happier.
— from The Lady with the Dog and Other Stories by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - Not only her face but her whole figure was expressive of beatitude....
— from The Lady with the Dog and Other Stories by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - beatitude or something?
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - The felicity and beatitude that glitters in Virtue, shines throughout all her appurtenances and avenues, even to the first entry and utmost limits.
— from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne - ‘Tis the business of the gods, says Aristotle,’ and from which both their beatitude and ours proceed.
— from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne - Here the give-up, the negation of the lower passions, synchronizes with a take-up, the assertion of a beatitude.
— from Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda - Conscientiously engaging in earthly work, they yet remain immersed in an inward beatitude.
— from Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda - Peace, she saith to me, and purity and absolute abandonment- these panaceas expiate all sin and bring you to the beatitude of the Eight Gods.
— from Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda - Here is Gregson coming down the road with beatitude written upon every feature of his face.
— from A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle - The prince had confessed unreservedly to himself that the feeling of intense beatitude in that crowded moment made the moment worth a lifetime.
— from The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky - Finally, remember the beatitude: Blessed is the man that maketh short speeches, for he shall be invited to speak again.
— from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein - The physical state of man would soon not yield to the beatitude of angels; disease was to be banished; labour lightened of its heaviest burden.
— from The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley