Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; Robes and…
““Through tatter'd clothes small vices do appear; Robes and furr'd gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks; Arm it in rags, a pygmy's straw does pierce it. None does offend, none- I say none! I'll able 'em.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Appearances can mask moral corruption; wealth and status hide wrongdoing while the poor expose it.
In simple terms: Richness hides sin; poverty reveals it.
Key Takeaway
Judge character, not clothing.
Themes
hypocrisy
justice
class
appearance
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtroom
- political scandal
- family dispute
- media scrutiny
Key Concepts
social critique
morality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess integrity beyond appearances?
- Can privilege ever justify moral compromise?
A Different Perspective
Even the poor can be corrupt; wealth isn’t always virtuous.