Admiral Quote by Mark Twain
“A policeman in plain clothes is a man; in his uniform he is ten. Clothes and title are the most potent thing, the most formidable influence, in the earth. They move the human race to willing and spontaneous respect for the judge, the general, the admiral, the bishop, the ambassador, the frivolous earl, the idiot duke, the sultan, the king, the emperor. No great title is efficient without clothes to support it.”
About This Quote
Clothing and titles heavily influence how people are perceived and respected.
In simple terms: Uniforms and titles shape respect.
Key Takeaway
Question the weight of appearance.
Themes
status
appearance
authority
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- job interviews
- military dress codes
- formal events
Key Concepts
social psychology
symbolic power
Questions to Reflect On
- How much does appearance affect your judgments?
- Can you separate title from merit?
A Different Perspective
The view may overstate external influence over character.
![“[Humility is:] Greatness in plain clothes” quote by Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/703/spencer-w-kimball-1179_clothes_humility-is-greatness-in-plain-clothes-8_81127.jpg)
![“I want to play a man in uniform. I've got tremendous respect for that life that they lead. We know so little about it. It's never discussed or talked about, when they come back from battle. I want to examine the choices that have to be made in those terrible times. [...] I'll get to wear a uniform.” quote by Ben Kingsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9b0/ben-kingsley-5765_battle_i-want-to-play-a-man-in-uniform-i-ve-got_1868321.jpg)
