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in common life we esteem but meanly and contemptibly a…

“in common life we esteem but meanly and contemptibly a fellow who anoints his hair, and palpably smells of that anointing. In truth, a mature man who uses hair-oil, unless medicinally, that man has probably got a quoggy spot in him somewhere. As a general rule, he can't amount to much in his…” quote by Herman Melville
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““in common life we esteem but meanly and contemptibly a fellow who anoints his hair, and palpably smells of that anointing. In truth, a mature man who uses hair-oil, unless medicinally, that man has probably got a quoggy spot in him somewhere. As a general rule, he can't amount to much in his totality.””

Herman Melville

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Excessive grooming signals vanity and hidden flaws, suggesting shallow character.

In simple terms: Over-grooming hints at deeper issues.

Key Takeaway

Avoid superficial judgments.

Themes

appearance vanity character assessment

Mood

critical analytical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • first impressions
  • leadership evaluation
  • trust building

Key Concepts

social perception personal hygiene

Questions to Reflect On

  • Can appearance ever be a reliable indicator of merit?
  • How do cultural norms affect grooming judgments?
A Different Perspective

May overlook genuine competence.

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