Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's no better rule.
Interpretation
Don't judge things by their appearance; rely on facts and evidence instead.
This quote by Charles Dickens emphasizes the importance of looking beyond superficial appearances and assessing situations based on concrete evidence. It suggests that making decisions or forming opinions should be based on facts rather than assumptions or outward looks, which can often be misleading.
In practice
During a presentation on critical thinking, this quote can highlight the importance of relying on data rather than making assumptions.
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.
There is, so I believe, in the essence of everything, something that we cannot call learning. There is, my friend, only a knowledge-that is everywhere, that is Atman, that is in me and you and in every creature, and I am beginning to believe that this knowledge has no worse enemy than the man of knowledge, than learning.
It was shepherds who were the first to recognize a king that the rest of the world refused to acknowledge.
I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.
A thousand fearful images and dire suggestions glance along the mind when it is moody and discontented with itself. Command them to stand and show themselves, and you presently assert the power of reason over imagination.
In short, Clevinger was one of those people with lots of intelligence and no brains, and everyone knew it except those who soon found it out.
I neither complain of the past, nor do I fear the future.
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