Mr Horsefry was a youngish man, not simply running to fat…
““Mr Horsefry was a youngish man, not simply running to fat but vaulting, leaping and diving towards obesity. He had acquired at thirty an impressive selection of chins, and now they wobbled with angry pride.* * It is wrong to judge by appearances. Despite his expression, which was that of a piglet having a bright idea, and his mode of speech, which might put you in mind of a small, breathless, neurotic but ridiculously expensive dog, Mr Horsefry might well have been a kind, generous and pious man. In the same way, the man climbing out of your window in a stripy jumper, a mask and a great hurry might merely be lost on the way to a fancy-dress party, and the man in the wig and robes at the focus of the courtroom might only be a transvestite who wandered in out of the rain. Snap judgements can be so unfair.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Judging people by looks leads to unfair conclusions; deeper character often hidden beneath appearances.
In simple terms: Looks can be deceiving.
Key Takeaway
Look beyond appearances.
Themes
prejudice
appearance
judgment
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
observational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- first impressions
- job interviews
- online dating
- courtroom scenes
Key Concepts
social perception
bias
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How often do you judge before knowing?
- What hidden qualities might you overlook?
A Different Perspective
Appearances sometimes provide useful clues; over‑reliance can mislead.