The Most Beautiful Sentence, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the sentence you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:20

Imagine you found an exquisite sentence in a book last night—one that stuck with you, transformed your thoughts, or comforted you. It's often these nuggets of language that bring us the most joy or provoke the deepest thoughts, yet they remain scattered and unknown to many. Ranking these sentences offers a unique opportunity to gather these impactful moments in one place, allowing them to be shared and appreciated by a wider audience. By voting for the sentences that resonate most, users directly influence the visibility of these small yet powerful pieces of text, ensuring that others might find the same inspiration or comfort that they did. This ongoing collection not only highlights the beauty of language but also connects people through the shared experience of being moved by words.

What Is the Most Beautiful Sentence?

1

67
votes
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched

Helen Keller

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." - Helen Keller. This sentence is beautiful because it reminds us that true beauty lies within and cannot be measured by physical appearance.
The quote 'The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched' refers to the notion that true beauty and worth are intangible, and not solely limited to physical or material aspects. It suggests that the most valuable and wonderful aspects of life are often intangible, such as love, happiness, kindness, and memories.

Author: Helen Keller

Context: This quote is taken from Helen Keller's autobiography, 'The Story of My Life,' which was published in 1903.

Meaning: The quote emphasizes the importance of non-physical attributes and experiences in life and encourages the appreciation of intangible qualities.

Inspirational Nature: The quote is often shared as a source of inspiration and to remind others to focus on the deeper and more meaningful aspects of life.

Contextual Background: Helen Keller, who became blind and deaf at an early age, had a unique perspective on the importance of things beyond the physical realm.
2

33
votes
All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.

Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe. This sentence is beautiful because it speaks to the fleeting nature of our existence and the idea that reality may be something we construct in our minds.
The sentence 'All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream' is a thought-provoking statement about the nature of reality and existence. It suggests that everything we perceive or experience may be an illusion or a creation of our own imagination.

Author: Edgar Allan Poe

Publication Year: 1849

Genre: Poetry

Theme: Reality vs. Illusion

Literary Movement: Romanticism
3

16
votes
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson. This sentence is beautiful because it encourages us to be true to ourselves, even in the face of societal pressure to conform.
The line 'To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment' is a powerful statement about the importance of staying true to one's authentic self despite societal pressures to conform. It emphasizes the struggle to maintain individuality and the significance of this achievement.

Author: Ralph Waldo Emerson

Source: Self-Reliance, an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Publication: Published in 1841

Context: Exploring the concepts of individualism and self-reliance

Literary Genre: Transcendentalist philosophy
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most beautiful line in English
4

18
votes
The only way to do great work is to love what you do.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs. This sentence is beautiful because it reminds us that passion is key to success and fulfillment in life.
The quote 'The only way to do great work is to love what you do' emphasizes the importance of passion and enjoyment in achieving remarkable accomplishments. It suggests that true success can only be attained by genuinely loving the work one does, as it provides the motivation, determination, and enthusiasm necessary to reach extraordinary levels of achievement.

Author: Steve Jobs

Context: Commencement speech at Stanford University

Year: 2005

Medium: Speech

Theme: Passion, Motivation, Success
The only way to do great work is to love what you do. in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most beautiful line in English
5

10
votes
What we think, we become.

Buddha. This sentence is beautiful because it speaks to the power of thought and the idea that our minds shape our reality.
The sentence 'What we think, we become' encapsulates the power of our thoughts and their influence on shaping our reality. It emphasizes the idea that our thoughts have the ability to shape our beliefs, actions, and ultimately, our destiny.

Meaning: The sentence highlights the connection between our thoughts and our identity or state of being.

Impact: It inspires self-reflection and encourages individuals to be mindful of their thoughts and the impact they may have on their lives.

Philosophical Aspect: It aligns with the concept of the Law of Attraction, which suggests that positive thinking attracts positive outcomes.

Motivational: The sentence serves as a reminder to focus on positive and constructive thoughts to manifest desired results.

Universal Application: It can be applied to various aspects of life, including personal growth, relationships, and achieving goals.
6

15
votes
The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.

St. Augustine

Saint Augustine. This sentence is beautiful because it encourages us to explore and experience the world around us.
The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.

Author: St. Augustine

Origin: The phrase is often attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo, a Christian theologian and philosopher from the 4th century.

Meaning: The sentence expresses the idea that traveling is essential for a complete understanding of the world. Just as reading a single page of a book cannot provide the full story, experiencing only one place or culture is not sufficient to grasp the diversity and complexity of the world.

Metaphor: The sentence uses the metaphor of the world as a book to convey the importance of exploration and travel in broadening one's horizons.

Inspiration: The phrase likely draws inspiration from St. Augustine's own travels and experiences, as well as his belief in the value of knowledge and learning.
7

12
votes

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Nelson Mandela. This sentence is beautiful because it reminds us that resilience and perseverance are key to overcoming challenges.
8

6
votes
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.

Robert Frost

Robert Frost. This sentence is beautiful because it speaks to the inevitability of change and the importance of adapting to it.
The line 'In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on' is a poignant statement that encapsulates the essence of life's resilience and the inevitability of progression despite adversity.

Line length: 31 characters

Theme: Perseverance and resilience

Author: Robert Frost

Number of words: 12 words

Impact: Provokes contemplation and reflection
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most beautiful line in English
9

4
votes
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

John Keats

John Keats. This sentence is beautiful because it celebrates the enduring power of beauty to bring us happiness and inspiration.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

Meaning: This sentence expresses the idea that something beautiful has the power to bring everlasting joy.

Emotion: The sentence evokes a sense of wonder and appreciation for the enduring qualities of beauty.

Poetic Structure: The sentence is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythm commonly used in traditional English poetry.

Metaphor: The sentence uses the metaphor of beauty as a source of eternal delight.

Inspiration: This sentence has inspired countless artists, poets, and philosophers to explore the concept of beauty.
10

7
votes
Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds.

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare. This sentence is beautiful because it reminds us that true love is unconditional and enduring.
The sentence 'Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds' is a profound reflection on the nature of true love. It emphasizes that real love is unwavering and does not change or diminish when faced with external circumstances or changes.

Author: William Shakespeare

Original Work: Sonnet 116

Genre: Poetry

Language: English

Published: 1609

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Discussion

Ranking factors for beautiful sentence

Clarity and simplicity

The sentence should be easy to understand and convey its meaning clearly without any ambiguity.
Vocabulary

The choice of words should be precise and evocative, creating strong mental images in the reader's mind.
Syntax and structure

The sentence should be constructed in a way that is grammatically correct, and the sentence structure should be balanced and complex enough to create a pleasing rhythm.
Lyricism

The words should flow smoothly with a poetic quality, appealing to the reader's emotions and senses.
Imagery

The sentence should create vivid and visually compelling images in the reader's mind, adding depth and richness to the overall experience of reading the sentence.
Originality

The sentence should be unique and captivating, surprising the reader with unconventional word choices, metaphors, or ideas.
Emotional resonance

A truly beautiful sentence should evoke an emotional response or connection from the reader, whether it be through nostalgia, love, sadness, happiness, or any other emotion.
Universality

A beautiful sentence should be relatable and meaningful to a wide range of readers, regardless of their individual experiences or backgrounds.
Depth of meaning

The sentence should carry more than just a surface-level meaning, providing layers of interpretation or significance that can be appreciated on multiple levels.
Impact

Finally, a beautiful sentence should leave a lasting impression on the reader, inspiring them to reflect on the words long after they have finished reading.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful sentence. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or sentence is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2524 views
186 votes
10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched
All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.
The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.
Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds.

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each sentence once every 24 hours. The rank of each sentence is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beautiful sentence

When it comes to language, some sentences can be more than just a string of words. They can be beautiful, evoking emotions and painting vivid images in the reader's mind. The most beautiful sentences can inspire, captivate, and leave a lasting impression on our hearts and minds. The concept of beauty in language has been explored by writers, poets, and philosophers for centuries. From Shakespeare's sonnets to Rumi's prose, there are countless examples of beautiful sentences that have stood the test of time. But what makes a sentence beautiful? Is it the words used, the rhythm and flow of the sentence, or the emotions it evokes? The answer is subjective and can vary from person to person. At StrawPoll, we're interested in discovering what our users consider to be the most beautiful sentence. With thousands of polls and rankings on various topics, we're excited to see what sentences our community deems the most poetic, inspiring, and memorable.