A man is known to his dog by the smell, to his tailor by…
“A man is known to his dog by the smell, to his tailor by the coat, to his friend by the smile; each of these know him, but how little or how much depends on the dignity of the intelligence. That which is truly and indeed characteristic of the man is known only to God.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People are judged by superficial signs, but true character is known only to the divine.
In simple terms: Surface impressions differ from true character.
Seek deeper understanding of others.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- social interactions
- leadership
- friendship
- judgment
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly defines a person?
- How can we look beyond appearances?
Surface judgments can be misleading.