From the Sublime to the Ridiculous
Definition: From outstanding to measly, famous to infamous, wonderful to silly. This expression appears to have been coined in America by Thomas Paine in his The Age of Reason (1794). The full quotation is, “The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related that it is difficult to class them separately. One step above the sublime makes the ridiculous, and one step above the ridiculous makes the sublime again.” The expression was rephrased in French by the encyclopedist Jean-François Marmontel and then repeated by Napoleon, who used it to describe the retreat of his army from Moscow.
Related and Similar Terms:
- Zero to Hero: Rapid elevation from obscurity to fame or success.
- Hair’s Breadth Escape: A narrow escape from disaster.
- Peaks and Valleys: Successes and downturns in a situation or life.
- Tragicomedy: Something containing elements of both dramatic and comic aspects.
Proverbs, Expressions, and Common Phrases:
- “Every rose has its thorn”: Every good aspect has something negative.
- “It’s a fine line between genius and madness”: Remarkable talent and insanity are often closely related.
Humorous Quotes:
- “The line between bravery and stupidity is so thin it can be tripped over by ghosts.” - Unknown
- “The difference between a clown and a king is a matter of context.” - Quayson Quill
Inspirational Instances in Literature and Pop Culture:
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Books:
- Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - Explores the absurdities and profundities of teenage angst.
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller - A novel where the ridiculous logic of war highlights life’s contrasting extremes.
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Movies:
- Life is Beautiful (1997): Balances wartime tragedy with the sublime power of imagination and love.
- Forrest Gump (1994): Captures life’s unpredictable shifts from incredible success to notable absurdity.
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Songs:
- “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen: A rock classic swinging from the sublime operatic pomp to hard rock.
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Poetry:
- “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost: Illustrates the profoundly sublime decisions and their possibly ridiculous repercussions.
“In the dance of extremes, we often find life’s true rhythm.”
Signing off in the spirit of oscillations, Felix S. Funfact, 2023
