I always do the first line well, but I have trouble doing the others.
MoliereRead
He makes his cook his merit, and the world visits his dinners and not him.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often value outward appearances and social status over individual merit and character.
This quote by Moliere highlights the notion that individuals may be judged more for their associations and the status symbols they present, such as their social events, rather than for their true contributions or qualities. It suggests a critique of superficiality in social interactions, where the merit of a person becomes secondary to the spectacle they create, leading to a societal focus on appearances over genuine character.
Themes
SocialAppearancesMeritRelationshipsSuperficiality
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about social gatherings, one could say, 'As Moliere points out, people often celebrate the dinner and not the host's character.'
More from Moliere
All quotes →Beauty without intelligence is like a hook without bait.
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Betrayed and wronged in everything, I’ll flee this bitter world where vice is king, And seek some spot unpeopled and apart Where I’ll be free to have an honest heart. - Molière, The Misanthrope
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Long is the road from conception to completion.
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Oh, I may be devout, but I am human all the same.
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Hypocrisy is a fashionable vice, and all fashionable vices pass for virtue.
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