Where does the phrase from the sublime to the ridiculous come from?

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.

Who said from the sublime to the ridiculous?

Tom Paine
Coined by Tom Paine in The Age of Reason (1794), in which he said the two are so closely related that it is but one step from one to the other, the phrase has been often repeated in either order.

Which leader said from the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step?

Napoleon Bonaparte
In life, things that are noble and magnificent are never far from things that are trivial and laughable. This saying has been attributed to both Napoleon Bonaparte and the French statesman Talleyrand.

What does sublime picture mean?

Theory developed by Edmund Burke in the mid eighteenth century, where he defined sublime art as art that refers to a greatness beyond all possibility of calculation, measurement or imitation.

What is it called when you take an argument to the extreme?

In logic, reductio ad absurdum (Latin for “reduction to absurdity”), also known as argumentum ad absurdum (Latin for “argument to absurdity”), apagogical arguments, negation introduction or the appeal to extremes, is the form of argument that attempts to establish a claim by showing that the opposite scenario would …

Can range from the sublime to the ridiculous?

from something that is very good or very serious to something very bad or silly: The dresses in the fashion show went/ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous.

What does subline mean?

Definition of subline : an inbred or selectively cultured line (as of cells) within a strain.

What is the word sublime means?

a(1) : to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor. (2) : to render finer (as in purity or excellence) b : to convert (something inferior) into something of higher worth. intransitive verb. : to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state.

What is RAA proof?

Reductio Ad Absurdum (RAA) is a proof technique that takes advantage of our newly found ability to introduce any assumption into a proof at any time (with the proviso that we properly discharge the assumption).

What is meant by a straw man argument?

Definition of straw man 1 : a weak or imaginary opposition (such as an argument or adversary) set up only to be easily confuted. 2 : a person set up to serve as a cover for a usually questionable transaction.

What is an example of sublime?

The definition of sublime is something majestic, impressive or intellectually valuable. An example of sublime is a beautifully presented, formal six course meal.

How do you use the word sublime?

Sublime sentence example

1. Demetrius calls his statues sublime , and at the same time precise.
2. The children were amazed as they saw the dry ice sublime into a gas instead of melt.
3. The whole of Bhutan presents a succession of lofty and rugged mountains abounding in picturesque and sublime scenery.

What does from the sublime to the ridiculous mean in English?

Meaning of from the sublime to the ridiculous in English. from the sublime to the ridiculous. › from something that is very good or very serious to something very bad or silly: The dresses in the fashion show went/ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous.

What is the meaning of the word sublime?

from the sublime to the ridiculous From something exceptional or beautiful to something silly, foolish, or absurd. Fig. from something fine and uplifting to something ridiculous or mundane. From the beautiful to the silly, from great to puny. From outstanding to measly, famous to infamous, wonderful to silly.

How did the night go from sublime to ridiculous?

from the sublime to the ridiculous (is only a step) (It is very easy to go) from being very grand, sophisticated, beautiful, or uplifting to being silly, foolish, or absurd. The night went from the sublime to the ridiculous when the opera singer was followed by a ventriloquist.

Who said from sublime to ridiculous there is only one step?

Napoleon, who admired Paine, repeated it in French about 1812; his version was translated as “From the sublime to the ridiculous there is only one step.” The two qualities have been paired in this way ever since. See also: ridiculous, to The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer