--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Charms strike the sight, but merit wins…" description: "\"Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.\" — Alexander Pope" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/alexander-pope-235_charms_charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-t_56675.png" --- # Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul. ![“Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.” quote by Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/alexander-pope-235_charms_charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-t_56675.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/alexander-pope-235_charms_charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-t_56675.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/alexander-pope-235_charms_charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-t_56675.png) > “Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.” [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. External charm may attract attention, but true value and character ultimately earn lasting respect. **In simple terms:** Charm is fleeting; merit endures. Key Takeaway Merit outlasts allure. Themes authenticity character values perception longevity Mood inspirational thoughtful Type maxim aphor When to use this quote - first impressions - social networking - job interviews - dating - leadership Key Concepts beauty integrity self-worth Practical Applications - personal branding - team building Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to win someone's soul? - How can we prioritize merit over appearance? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Charms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charms/) [Charms Strike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charms-strike-784939/) [Merit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/merit/) [Merit Wins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/merit-wins-784942/) [Sight Merit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sight-merit-784940/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) [Wins Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wins-soul-784941/) ## Related quotes > [Charm strikes the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charm-strikes-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [The good must merit God's peculiar care; But who but God can tell us who they are?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-good-must-merit-god-s-peculiar-care-but-who-but-god-can-tell-us/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/beauties-in-vain-their-pretty-eyes-may-roll-charms-strike-the-sight/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe, Are lost on hearers that our merits know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/praise-from-a-friend-or-censure-from-a-foe-are-lost-on-hearers-that/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Let sinful bachelors their woes deplore; full well they merit all they feel, and more: unaw by precepts, human or divine, like birds and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-sinful-bachelors-their-woes-deplore-full-well-they-merit-all-they/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Fear not the anger of the wise to raise; Those best can bear reproof who merit praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/fear-not-the-anger-of-the-wise-to-raise-those-best-can-bear-reproof/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [“Do not all charms fly / At the mere touch of cold philosophy?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-all-charms-fly-at-the-mere-touch-of-cold-philosophy/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Novelty has charms that our minds can hardly withstand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/novelty-has-charms-that-our-minds-can-hardly-withstand/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) > [I believe in all of these Irish myths, like leprechauns. Not the pot of gold, not the Lucky Charms leprechauns. But maybe was there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-fox/i-believe-in-all-of-these-irish-myths-like-leprechauns-not-the-pot-of/) [Megan Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-fox/) > [As long as there's the two of us, we've got the world and all its charms. And when the world is through with us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-long-as-there-s-the-two-of-us-we-ve-got-the-world-and-all-its/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I would not miss your face, your neck, your hands, your limbs, your bosom and certain other of your charms. Indeed, not to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-would-not-miss-your-face-your-neck-your-hands-your-limbs-your-bosom/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was not always free from melancholy; but even melancholy had its charms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madame-roland/i-was-not-always-free-from-melancholy-but-even-melancholy-had-its/) [Madame Roland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madame-roland/) > [“I shall never more know the sweet homage given to beauty, youth and grace - for never to any else shall I seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/i-shall-never-more-know-the-sweet-homage-given-to-beauty-youth-and/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Some young people do not sufficiently understand the advantages of natural charms, and how much they would gain by trusting to them entirely. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/some-young-people-do-not-sufficiently-understand-the-advantages-of/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [“Take time to empower yourself. Delegate tasks so you have time to pamper yourself and invest your energy in what you love. Be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-digeronimo/take-time-to-empower-yourself-delegate-tasks-so-you-have-time-to/) [J.J. DiGeronimo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-digeronimo/) ## More by Alexander Pope > [How do we know that we have a right to kill creatures that we are so little above, as dogs, for our curiosity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/how-do-we-know-that-we-have-a-right-to-kill-creatures-that-we-are-so/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [To wake the soul by tender strokes of art, To raise the genius, and to mend the heart; To make mankind, in conscious virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/to-wake-the-soul-by-tender-strokes-of-art-to-raise-the-genius-and-to/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [A mighty maze! But not without a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/a-mighty-maze-but-not-without-a-plan/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [For I, who hold sage Homer's rule the best, Welcome the coming, speed the going guest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/for-i-who-hold-sage-homer-s-rule-the-best-welcome-the-coming-speed/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/like-following-life-through-creatures-you-dissect-you-lose-it-in-the/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [When two people compliment each other with the choice of anything, each of them generally gets that which he likes least.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/when-two-people-compliment-each-other-with-the-choice-of-anything/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd and make the learned smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/such-labour-d-nothings-in-so-strange-a-style-amaze-th-unlearn-d-and/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [She went from opera, park, assembly, play, To morning walks, and prayers three hours a day. To part her time 'twixt reading and bohea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/she-went-from-opera-park-assembly-play-to-morning-walks-and-prayers/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [I am satisfied to trifle away my time, rather than let it stick by me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/i-am-satisfied-to-trifle-away-my-time-rather-than-let-it-stick-by-me/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [The greatest advantage I know of being thought a wit by the world is, that it gives one the greater freedom of playing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/the-greatest-advantage-i-know-of-being-thought-a-wit-by-the-world-is/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Then say not Man's imperfect,Heav'n in fault; Say rather, Man's as perfect ashe ought:](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/then-say-not-man-s-imperfect-heav-n-in-fault-say-rather-man-s-as/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [First follow Nature, and your judgment frame By her just standard, which is still the same: Unerring nature, still divinely bright, One clear, unchanged,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/first-follow-nature-and-your-judgment-frame-by-her-just-standard/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Who shall decide when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/who-shall-decide-when-doctors-disagree-and-soundest-casuists-doubt/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [Die of a rose in aromatic pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/die-of-a-rose-in-aromatic-pain/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) [Explore all 850 Alexander Pope quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) ## More Charms quotes > [“Take time to empower yourself. Delegate tasks so you have time to pamper yourself and invest your energy in what you love. Be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-j-digeronimo/take-time-to-empower-yourself-delegate-tasks-so-you-have-time-to/) [J.J. DiGeronimo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-j-digeronimo/) > [Novelty has charms that our minds can hardly withstand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/novelty-has-charms-that-our-minds-can-hardly-withstand/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) > [As long as there's the two of us, we've got the world and all its charms. And when the world is through with us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-long-as-there-s-the-two-of-us-we-ve-got-the-world-and-all-its/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some young people do not sufficiently understand the advantages of natural charms, and how much they would gain by trusting to them entirely. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/some-young-people-do-not-sufficiently-understand-the-advantages-of/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [“Do not all charms fly / At the mere touch of cold philosophy?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-all-charms-fly-at-the-mere-touch-of-cold-philosophy/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I shall never more know the sweet homage given to beauty, youth and grace - for never to any else shall I seem to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/i-shall-never-more-know-the-sweet-homage-given-to-beauty-youth-and/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [I was not always free from melancholy; but even melancholy had its charms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madame-roland/i-was-not-always-free-from-melancholy-but-even-melancholy-had-its/) [Madame Roland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madame-roland/) > [I would not miss your face, your neck, your hands, your limbs, your bosom and certain other of your charms. Indeed, not to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-would-not-miss-your-face-your-neck-your-hands-your-limbs-your-bosom/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I believe in all of these Irish myths, like leprechauns. Not the pot of gold, not the Lucky Charms leprechauns. But maybe was there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-fox/i-believe-in-all-of-these-irish-myths-like-leprechauns-not-the-pot-of/) [Megan Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-fox/) > [It is one of the great charms of books that they have to end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-kermode/it-is-one-of-the-great-charms-of-books-that-they-have-to-end/) [Frank Kermode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-kermode/) > [“I am only a dead Sciomancer, but I must warn you of fire and kisses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lita-burke/i-am-only-a-dead-sciomancer-but-i-must-warn-you-of-fire-and-kisses/) [Lita Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lita-burke/) > [The insane, on occasion, are not without their charms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/the-insane-on-occasion-are-not-without-their-charms/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [I am flippant. That's one of my charms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-o-neal/i-am-flippant-that-s-one-of-my-charms/) [Ryan O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-o-neal/) > [Lucky Charms are fun! Tickle my Lucky Charms...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khloe-kardashian/lucky-charms-are-fun-tickle-my-lucky-charms/) [Khloe Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khloe-kardashian/) > [The moon's a powerful mistress. She can reach through any wall or covering and work her wicked charms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-shan/the-moon-s-a-powerful-mistress-she-can-reach-through-any-wall-or/) [Darren Shan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-shan/) [Browse all 77 Charms quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charms/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alexander Pope" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Charms" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/alexander-pope-235_charms_charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-t_56675.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/alexander-pope-235_charms_charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-t_56675.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84b/alexander-pope-235_charms_charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-t_56675.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.” — Alexander Pope", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Alexander Pope", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Charms strike the sight, but merit...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/charms-strike-the-sight-but-merit-wins-the-soul/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```