Decay and disease are often beautiful, like the pearly tear of the shellfish and the hectic glow of consumption. – Henry David Thoreau, journal, 1852 June 11th

Beauty depends on size as well as symmetry. No very small animal can be beautiful, for looking at it takes so small a portion of time that the impression of it will be confused. Nor can any very large one, for a whole view of it cannot be had at once, and so there will be no unity and completeness. – Aristotle

Many a genius has been slow of growth. Oaks that flourish for a thousand years do not spring up into beauty like a reed. – George Henry Lewes