We cannot judge fully of men's works by what we see, or what is said and thought of them; for man is prone to depreciate that which is really important, and to exact and extol what is trivial and of little worth. Many things which are hidden and unrecognized of human wisdom are nevertheless valuable and vitally important.
Interpretation
Judging people based on appearances or opinions can lead us to overlook what is truly valuable.
Orson F. Whitney emphasizes the idea that surface-level judgments are often misleading. People tend to undervalue what is truly significant and instead focus on trivial matters. This quote reminds us to look beyond superficial assessments and recognize the deeper, often hidden, value in people's actions and contributions.
In practice
This quote would be perfect for a personal development seminar.
You parents of the wilful and the wayward! Don't give them up. Don't cast them off. They are not utterly lost. The Shepherd will find his sheep. They were His before they were yours - long before He entrusted them to your care; and you cannot begin to love them as He loves them.
It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven.
It is my belief that many who think they dislike poetry are really poetical in their natures and are indebted to it, more than they imagine, for the success they may have achieved, even in practical pursuits, and for the enjoyment their lives have afforded them.
Never cease doubting. When the doubts stop it is because you have stopped journeying.
I pointed to the wound. "It's missing," I said. My grandmother smiled, and that was all it took for me to stop seeing the scar, and to recognize her again. "Yes," she said. "But see how much of me is left?
It does not require many words to speak the truth.
You can indulge your righteous rage but the things it comes out of are pretty cheap. The trick is to make yourself an instrument of your own policy. Whether you like it or not, that's the highest effectiveness man has achieved.
Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
What's your hurry?" Because now is the only time there ever is to do a thing in," said Miss Ophelia.
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