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Great men are seldom over-scrupulous in the arrangement of their attire.
Charles Dickens
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Great individuals often prioritize substance over superficial appearances.

Charles Dickens suggests that truly significant people do not focus excessively on their outward appearance or how they dress. Instead, their character, actions, and contributions define them more profoundly than their attire, highlighting a philosophy where inner qualities are more important than external presentation.

Themes

GreatnessAppearanceCharacterAttireSubstance

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used during a speech about the importance of character over appearances.

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I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
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A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away-the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us-is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow.
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Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
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There are not a few among the disciples of charity who require, in their vocation, scarcely less excitement than the votaries of pleasure in theirs.
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You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,” said Miss Pross, in her breathing. “Nevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman.
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Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
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