Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he's well dressed. There ain't much credit in that.
Interpretation
True character is tested by how one behaves when not impeccably presented.
This quote by Charles Dickens highlights the idea that superficial appearances can give a false sense of merit. Being well-dressed and in a good mood may be easy, but it’s when one faces challenges or is stripped of outward adornments that true character is revealed, thus emphasizing the importance of inner qualities over outer appearances.
In practice
In a discussion about leadership, one might say, 'As Dickens noted, true character shines through even without the finest attire.'
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
For years I bore the crippling weight of anger, bitterness and resentment toward those who caused my suffering. Yet as I look back over a spiritual journey that has spanned more than three decades, I realize the same bombs that caused so much pain and suffering also brought me to a place of great healing. Those bombs led me to Jesus Christ.
The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of childhood into maturity.
No experience is ever wasted. Everything has meaning.
But my lord, when we addressed this issue a few years ago, didn't you argue the other side?" He said, "That's true, but when I get more evidence I sometimes change my mind. What do you do?
The soft and weak can overcome the hard and strong.
I do think that travel can be part of a journey of inner maturation, but you've got to do it right.
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