Meaning: The quote, "Beauty is the disinterested one, without which the ancient world refused to understand itself, a word which both imperceptibly and yet unmistakably has bid farewell to our new world, a world of interests, leaving it to its own avarice and sadness," by Hans Urs von Balthasar, a Swiss theologian and Catholic priest, encapsulates a profound reflection on the concept of beauty and its evolving significance in human civilization.

The notion of beauty has been a central theme in philosophical and artistic discourse throughout history. In the ancient world, beauty was revered as a transcendent quality that held intrinsic value, often associated with harmony, proportion, and spiritual significance. It was considered a source of inspiration and a reflection of divine order. The quote suggests that the ancient world relied on the concept of beauty to comprehend and interpret its existence, emphasizing the disinterested nature of beauty, free from personal motives or self-interest.

However, Balthasar laments that in our modern era, characterized by a pursuit of self-serving interests and materialistic pursuits, the true essence of beauty has been overshadowed. The "new world of interests" refers to a society driven by personal gain, consumption, and a relentless pursuit of wealth and power. In this context, beauty has been marginalized, relegated to the periphery of human consciousness, as the focus shifts towards avarice and a sense of melancholy or emptiness.

Balthasar's assertion that beauty has bid farewell to our new world implies a loss of connection to the deeper, transcendent aspects of human experience. The departure of beauty from the forefront of human consciousness is seen as a poignant departure from the values and aspirations that once defined the ancient world. It marks a shift from a reverence for the sublime and the aesthetic to a preoccupation with material accumulation and the pursuit of narrow, self-centered goals.

The quote prompts contemplation on the role of beauty in shaping our understanding of the world and our place within it. It raises questions about the implications of a society that has relegated beauty to a secondary concern, and the potential consequences of this shift in values. Balthasar's reference to a world of avarice and sadness suggests that the absence of beauty has contributed to a sense of spiritual and emotional impoverishment, leaving individuals ensnared in a cycle of insatiable desire and existential dissatisfaction.

In contemporary discourse, the significance of beauty remains a subject of ongoing exploration and reinterpretation. While the quote presents a critical perspective on the diminishing role of beauty in modern society, it also serves as a call to recognize and reassert the value of beauty in all its forms. Whether in nature, art, or human relationships, beauty continues to exert a profound influence on our perceptions, emotions, and cultural expressions, challenging us to reconsider its place in our lives and collective consciousness.

In conclusion, Hans Urs von Balthasar's quote offers a thought-provoking commentary on the evolving significance of beauty in human civilization. It invites contemplation on the cultural, spiritual, and existential implications of a world that has increasingly turned away from the disinterested appreciation of beauty. By engaging with Balthasar's reflections, we are prompted to reconsider the role of beauty in shaping our values, aspirations, and understanding of the human experience.