Character Quote by Jean de la Bruyere
![“Physiognomy is not a guide that has been given us by which to judge of the character of men: it may only serve us for conjecture. [Fr., La physionomie n'est pas une regle qui nous soit donnee pour juger des hommes; elle nous peut servir de conjecture.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3cd/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_character_physiognomy-is-not-a-guide-that-has-been_207056.jpg)
“Physiognomy is not a guide that has been given us by which to judge of the character of men: it may only serve us for conjecture. [Fr., La physionomie n'est pas une regle qui nous soit donnee pour juger des hommes; elle nous peut servir de conjecture.]”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “La Physionomie”, 1688
Physiognomy offers only speculative insight, not a reliable method for judging character.
In simple terms: Physiognomy is guesswork, not a rule.
Key Takeaway
Use caution when judging based on appearance.
Themes
judgment
skepticism
human nature
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- hiring
- social interaction
- law enforcement
Key Concepts
physiognomy
character assessment
bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you avoid superficial judgments?
- What reliable methods assess character?
A Different Perspective
Relying on appearance can lead to misjudgment.
![“The court is like a palace built of marble; I mean that it is made up of very hard but very polished people. [Fr., La cour est comme un edifice bati de marbre; je veux dire qu'elle est composee d'hommes fort durs mais fort polis.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fcf/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_built_the-court-is-like-a-palace-built-of-marb_77288.jpg)
