Wit is more necessary than beauty; and I think no young woman ugly that has it, and no handsome woman agreeable without it.
William WycherleyRead
I weigh the man, not his title; 'tis not the king's stamp can make the metal better.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A person's worth is determined by their character, not their social status or title.
This quote emphasizes the idea that true value and integrity of an individual are independent of their social standing or titles they may hold. Rather than being impressed by a person's status, we should focus on their qualities, actions, and character, since superficial labels do not enhance one's true nature or worth.
Themes
CharacterWorthIntegrityStatusValue
In practice
Example use cases
During a leadership seminar, to remind participants that titles do not define their capabilities.
More from William Wycherley
All quotes βSimilar quotes
When the great Tao is abandoned, benevolence and righteousness arise.
LaoziRead
Freedom will not prevail because of historical forces; it will only win, if it does, because of historical actors. In other words, us. Those like me who came of age around 1989 used to take democracy for granted.
Max BootRead
We talk of lost ideals, but perhaps they are not lost, only changed; when our ideal for ourselves and for our children becomes limited to prosperity and comfort, we get these, very likely, for ourselves and for them, but we get no more.
Charlotte MasonRead
"I am the awareness that is aware that there is attachment." That's the beginning of the transformation of consciousness.
Eckhart TolleRead
The very good people didn't convince me; I felt they'd never been tempted. But you knew; you understood; you had felt the world outside tugging at one with all its golden hands β and yet you hated the things it asks of one; you hated happiness bought by disloyalty and cruelty and indifference.
Edith WhartonRead
Our Declaration of Independence was held sacred by all and thought to include all; but now, to aid in making the bondage of the Negro universal and eternal, it is assailed, sneered at, construed, hawked at, and torn, till, if its framers could rise from their graves, they could not at all recognize it.
Abraham LincolnRead