Top 5 Best Essays on Social Discussion about Beauty in Nature and Society

Tsernushevski once said, "The average farmer's concept of beauty often differs from the views held by educated classes in society." This suggests that beauty is subjective and can vary from person to person. The inherent contradiction of this is clear in the following story: A poor family had three daughters. Kiều Diễm, the eldest, worked as a nude model for a painter. The artist loved the painting so much that he stole it and hung it in his home. Her brother, Chính Trực, reported his sibling’s actions, but misunderstood the situation. The painter, on the other hand, decided to give her the painting as a gift. Upon seeing the artwork of her own body, Kiều Diễm, embarrassed, burned the painting. Who do you think is at fault in this story? And, was the beauty in the painting truly beautiful? Coming from a poor background and being the eldest, Kiều Diễm worked hard to support her family, which is a beautiful act in itself. Her motivation was out of love for her younger siblings and a desire to ease her parents' burdens. Her purpose was noble, no doubt! However, she chose to become a nude model—a profession that, while legitimate, is often stigmatized. Why did she choose this path? Perhaps it was the only job she felt suited for, or maybe it offered better financial rewards. Regardless, by accepting the job of a nude model, she also accepted the exposure of her body to countless eyes. Did she fully understand what this meant? While her intentions were pure—showing filial piety and love for her family—she perhaps didn’t fully grasp the implications of the profession she had entered. H. de Balzac called the artist "the secretary of the age." This means that artists immortalize the beauty of the present. In this story, the painter is also an artist. If that’s true, then he must surely love beauty and desire to make it eternal. Perhaps that’s partly true, but it’s also shaped by the everyday realities of life—survival and the pursuit of money—that often prevent artists from living in the idealized world of pure dreams. Thus, it’s possible that the painter was drawn to Kiều Diễm’s beauty, or maybe he was simply motivated by money. Regardless, he was doing the work of an artist by capturing and celebrating beauty. Kiều Diễm’s beauty, as portrayed in the painting, captivated the young man, Tài Tử. Beauty often evokes a desire to possess it. This is a common human instinct: wanting to keep a beautiful flower, repeatedly listening to a favorite song, or endlessly admiring the smile of a loved one. Tài Tử, like many, wanted to keep the painting for himself. However, his actions were far from beautiful—he stole it. Did he feel ashamed? Was he scared of being discovered? Could he still find joy in admiring the beauty of the painting after committing such a shameful act? His intention wasn’t evil, but the way he sought to achieve his goal was wrong. The only defense for his actions might be his poverty. Not everyone can afford to buy art, and as the saying goes, "art is a luxury." When Chính Trực, the younger brother, learned of his brother's theft, he reported him. Was this the right thing to do? In my view, it wasn’t entirely correct. Why? Because what happened to the bond between them as siblings? Did Chính Trực feel any compassion for his brother when his disgrace was exposed? Family ties, especially those between brothers, are sacred, and exposing your sibling’s shame like this can irreparably harm that relationship. Deep down, everyone thinks they’re right—at least in some respect. Therefore, when Tài Tử was betrayed by his own brother, it must have been hurtful, leading him to justify his theft instead of admitting his mistake. Chính Trực was, without a doubt, acting with good intentions, standing firm against wrongdoings, even when they involved a family member. This is the kind of integrity that not everyone possesses. However, he didn’t take a moment to consider his brother’s perspective. Maybe, upon seeing Tài Tử’s theft, Chính Trực judged him too harshly, forgetting to ask why his brother had stolen the painting. Sometimes, people quickly pass judgment without fully understanding the situation. For instance, when a girl becomes a mother at seventeen, society labels her as irresponsible. When a young man dies of HIV/AIDS, people automatically assume he led a reckless life. But do they know the full story? The girl might have been sexually assaulted, and the young man may have been born with the disease. We can’t always judge by appearances. Similarly, Chính Trực didn’t understand his brother's motives and hastily exposed him. Was this truly the best course of action? What if, instead, he had listened, understood, and advised Tài Tử to return the painting? The outcome could have been different, and their sibling bond might have remained stronger. The lesson here is that revealing someone’s mistakes should always be the last resort, only after all attempts to address the issue have failed. People’s pride and self-respect are so fragile that when they are wrongfully accused or lose face, they naturally react negatively."

Have you ever woken up and admired the simple beauty of the sunrise over your hometown? Have you ever stopped, even for just a minute, to watch the street cleaners sweeping the roads and smiled at them? If not, perhaps you have overlooked some of life’s most beautiful moments! You see, there is so much beauty around us in life, a harmony between the beauty of nature and the beauty of society.

Let’s start by exploring what "beauty" really means. Often, at its simplest, we consider beauty to be anything that leaves a positive impression on us. For example, we might find a girl’s face to be beautiful, or we might admire a boy’s stylish shoes. However, on a deeper level, I believe true beauty not only creates a good impression but also has a positive impact on our lives. Why is life’s beauty a combination of nature and society? The beauty of nature refers to the beauty of natural elements, things that were created by nature itself. The beauty in society, on the other hand, is something made by us—the people, the agents of society.

If you pay attention, you’ll see that beauty in both nature and society manifests very clearly in our daily lives. I have often been overwhelmed by the stunning blue beaches of Quảng Ninh, Nha Trang, and other places, or by the lush, vibrant islands far from the mainland, or the dense tropical forests. Just a glance at these natural landmarks is enough to appreciate their beauty. But I also find beauty in nature in simpler, everyday things—like the old banyan tree at the village’s ancient communal house, or the vast rice fields of the countryside. These are the quiet, humble beauties of nature, ones that not everyone may notice.

In society, the most obvious beauty is seen in charitable acts—those heartwarming stories we read about in the news, like the inspiring TV programs "Overcoming Ourselves" or "Because You Deserve It." Or the orphanages, nursing homes, and centers for the disabled, all of which are symbols of societal beauty. These are grand gestures we all know of, but I want to highlight the smaller, more humble beauties: the street cleaner who stays a little longer to finish sweeping, even after her shift; the person who, though not wealthy, helps someone in greater need; the students who, despite their limited resources, buy a small pack of toothpicks to support elderly vendors; or the sense of community in the neighborhood, where people support each other during weddings or funerals. There are countless examples of these beautiful human interactions that we might not always notice. These little beauties still exist every day.

Why do we need the beauty of nature? Because nature is our environment. Whenever we take a moment to enjoy natural beauty, it helps alleviate the stress and exhaustion we experience in our daily lives. Discovering the beauty of nature not only increases our awareness of the environment but also soothes our souls and deepens our love for our homeland and country. Furthermore, witnessing this beauty encourages us to appreciate nature even more, and when we love something, we naturally want to protect it and improve the environment to make it even better.

As for the beauty in society, each time we witness acts of kindness or noble deeds, our trust in humanity grows. We begin to believe that people will treat one another with respect, love, and compassion. This gives us hope for a peaceful world, one where people live beautifully and with integrity.

Such beauty, from both nature and society, offers so much to cherish, and yet, there are those who heartlessly destroy or tarnish it. Sadly, we often see people carelessly littering on beaches, illegally hunting rare wildlife for personal gain, or recklessly cutting down forests. At the same time, some of society’s beauty can be shallow, with charity efforts merely used for self-promotion, or some people exploiting the trust between individuals for personal profit, living selfishly with no thought for others. We must understand that beauty, in and of itself, is something precious. As mentioned earlier, beauty must not only make an impression but also bring about positive and genuine benefits for people. Beauty may start with outward appearances, but only the beauty that comes from within has the power to endure through time.

Beauty deserves to be respected and preserved. To protect the beauty of nature, we must love the landscapes of our homeland more. Let’s join hands to protect our environment, making it even more beautiful. As for the genuine beauty in society, we should support these noble actions, live better lives, be more responsible toward others, and share our kindness and love with those around us, so we can multiply the goodness in the world. When we treat others with sincerity, we will surely receive the same sincerity in return.

Beauty, whether in nature or society, is ever-present around us and makes the world a more beautiful place. Let’s always respect and cherish it, for only by loving beauty can we truly take action to preserve it for future generations.

If today, when you open your eyes and still feel the beauty of nature and the familiar world around you, that is truly a blessing to be cherished.

The beauty in nature is the inherent beauty of the environment, the landscapes around us that we can appreciate. On the other hand, beauty in society is how people treat one another to make society better. Whether in nature or society, both aspects are equally important, adding depth and meaning to our lives, making life more colorful, meaningful, and worth living. Indeed, nature plays a vital role in human life. It provides us with valuable resources. We cannot survive and thrive without nature's support. Nature also offers us relaxation, comfort, and peaceful moments after stressful work hours. Moreover, nature brings countless benefits, like a healthy living environment, beautiful landscapes, and endless inspiration. Humans are also a part of nature. How we treat each other is an essential aspect of life’s beauty. Each person's life is a journey of growth, learning, and experience. The way we interact with others is the key to building a meaningful and better life. We need compassion and the willingness to give, share, and help others. When we give, we not only help others but also receive love and empathy in return. We need to create a beautiful community where everyone can live happily and grow together.

However, there are still many people who lack awareness about protecting and preserving the beauty of nature, and some even engage in actions that harm the environment. At the same time, there are individuals who are selfish, narrow-minded, and only concerned with their own interests without considering others. Nature has given us a magnificent living landscape and a healthy social environment, and how we preserve and cherish these beauties is a wonderful way to show our gratitude.

As humans, from the days of our primitive ancestors to today's modern society, we have always been protected by the "shelter of nature," allowing us to live joyfully, stay healthy, and continuously evolve. This is why nature feels so familiar and dear to us. Indeed, "nature is man's best friend. We must cherish and protect nature."

This truth has been strongly affirmed through the realities of human life.

First, let’s understand what nature really is. Nature refers to everything outside of human creation—everything around us that exists naturally. Nature encompasses the sky, forests, seas, rivers, streams, plants, and animals. All of these elements are ever-present to protect and assist us.

For countless generations, nature has been the endless source of human life: rice, meat, fish, fruits, homes, water, clothing, and air—all are provided by nature. As humanity has advanced, we've created many products, yet our progress still depends heavily on nature. The more we realize the benefits of nature, the more we understand how essential it is. In the past, humans only needed the sun for warmth and light, but now we rely on the sun as an important source of energy for production and daily life. Forests, once seen simply as sources of timber and medicinal plants, now also help regulate floods and serve as giant lungs for our planet. Waterfalls, cool streams, and flowing rivers are not just beautiful landscapes but also vital routes for communication, sources of aquatic life, and even major power supplies.

Moreover, nature also contributes significantly to our mental well-being. After long, exhausting workdays in offices, factories, or in crowded, polluted cities, people turn to nature for refreshment. Nature rejuvenates our health, restores our joy, and boosts our enthusiasm for work. Sometimes, simply gazing at the greenery of leaves, listening to the gurgling of a stream, or playing on a beach can bring peace and tranquility to our souls. Observing blooming flowers or a sunset can evoke great joy, helping us forget our worries. Nature has the unique ability to expand our minds, making us feel as vast and boundless as the sky or the sea.

The beauty of nature also sparks our desire to think about beauty itself and to create beauty in our lives. The allure of a sunrise or sunset has inspired countless artists to create poetry, music, and visual art. Scientists also draw inspiration from nature’s laws of life to create works that serve humanity. Nature is truly the source of creativity for art, poetry, and scientific discoveries.

If we all understand the vital role of nature in our lives, we must adopt a mindset to preserve and protect nature as a precious friend. Now, more than ever, it’s essential to take immediate action to "Protect Nature" so we can live in harmony with the fresh air of nature.

In the realm of artistic beauty, everything seems to exist, yet it never fully captures any single aspect of real life: economic and social dynamics, politics, philosophy, culture, ethics, science, character, lifestyle, language, grand achievements, and the everyday details, the inner world and external appearances, the individual and the collective, past, present, and future...

It is a vibrant social phenomenon, filled with countless personal stories that are both universally shared and uniquely individual, familiar yet fresh. The essence of art is a "living replica" of social life, transcending its original form, sparkling with creative genius and imbued with a "heart" for humanity—the greater good of the working people, represented truthfully by the artist. A work of true aesthetic value arises from the seamless blend of three essential elements: a truthful reflection of society, unique and distinctive artistic creativity, and a strong sense of social consciousness and human compassion.

The human quest for beauty is an unwavering affirmation: we need to be beautiful "in face, in clothes, and in thought" (Chekhov), and all social relationships, with their concrete actions, must also "adhere to the laws of beauty" (Marx). Therefore, beauty has an undeniable right to exist and evolve. Beauty serves as a standard, a measure for evaluating and guiding life, a universal ideal that touches every area of human existence. Only through beauty can we reject evil, falseness, and obsolescence. In art, beauty, when fully realized and radiant, possesses the power to captivate, inspire, and transform.

When encountering the beauty of human life and the world as portrayed in art, public sentiment, taste, judgment, and aesthetic ideals are directly awakened, profoundly influencing society. Experiencing beauty is a particularly active pleasure—joy in beauty brings not only excitement but also a lasting, deep passion. It is curious, how in times of immense hardship, people still found solace in timeless symbols like the lotus flower, the stork, the fairy tale princess, or the brave hero. In periods of societal chaos and personal suffering, the public turned to artists not merely to criticize the dark reality but, more importantly, to renew their belief in human resilience. The "happy endings" and "grand reunions" in our classic literature seemed like inevitable artistic principles—moral codes designed to meet society’s aesthetic needs. Without them, people would lose their foundation in the real world. Even realist artists who "critique deeply" because of "human suffering" (Dobrôliubôp) searched for the "ideal human" (Dostoevsky), the "new human" (Tsekhnovsky), the "pride of humanity" because art must "align with the revolution's children" (Stendhal). These artists, consciously or not, absorbed the democratic and socialist ideals of the working masses, reflecting the revolutionary spirit of their times. There has often been a parallel between fundamental societal shifts and the art created to meet those demands: society has witnessed remarkable feats accomplished by the people who willingly "set aside their narrow private lives" to reach for a united world. Art, if it derives its strength from the masses, must portray "heroic beauty" and "sublime beauty" on a grand scale, rather than focusing solely on the small, isolated details. This is reflected in the revolutionary art of the Paris Commune, Soviet art during the October Revolution and World War II, and Vietnamese art during our past wars. How many millimeters of future artillery will aim at us when today we fire a pistol at "art that praises the status quo"?

Now, in the midst of profound and sweeping social reform, new forces, significant early results, and true socialist individuals have emerged and grown stronger. The people believe that artists and art will not only keep pace but lead the way—capturing, creating energy, predicting, and guiding society. To do so, artists must first have the perceptiveness to recognize the new. However, perceiving and reflecting the beauty of a changing society will not be easy. Particularly as today’s people are dynamic, open, and leaping forward in all aspects of life—from practical endeavors and lifestyle choices to character, speech, awareness, ideas, psychology, and emotions...