---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A dirty diamond is still worth more than…"
description: "\"“A dirty diamond is still worth more than a clean pebble.”\" — Matshona Dhliwayo"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/matshona-dhliwayo-52_diamond-quotes_a-dirty-diamond-is-still-worth-more-than_1394059.jpg"
---

#  A dirty diamond is still worth more than a clean pebble.

![“A dirty diamond is still worth more than a clean pebble.” quote by Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/matshona-dhliwayo-52_diamond-quotes_a-dirty-diamond-is-still-worth-more-than_1394059.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/matshona-dhliwayo-52_diamond-quotes_a-dirty-diamond-is-still-worth-more-than_1394059.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/matshona-dhliwayo-52_diamond-quotes_a-dirty-diamond-is-still-worth-more-than_1394059.jpg)

> ““A dirty diamond is still worth more than a clean pebble.””

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Even imperfect value holds more worth than flawless insignificance.

**In simple terms:** Flawed things can be more valuable than perfect trivialities.

Key Takeaway

Seek substance over perfection.

Themes

value perfection worth

Mood

thoughtful encouraging

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- business decisions
- personal growth
- art evaluation
- environmental choices

Key Concepts

philosophy comparative assessment

Questions to Reflect On

- When is perfection essential?
- What defines true value?

A Different Perspective

Might overlook context where perfection matters.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Clean Pebble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clean-pebble-4867183/) [Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diamond/) [Diamond Worth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diamond-worth-1973603/) [Diamond-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diamond-quotes/) [Dirty Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dirty-diamond-4867182/) [Life lesson quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-lesson-quotes/) [Matshona-dhliwayo-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matshona-dhliwayo-quotes/) [Pebble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pebble/) [Value-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value-quotes/) [Wisdom quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom-quotes/) [Wisdom-quotations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom-quotations/) [Wise-quotations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-quotations/) [Wise-quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-quotes/) [Worth Clean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth-clean-4867184/)

## Related quotes

> [“Throwing dirt at a diamond does not diminish its value.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/throwing-dirt-at-a-diamond-does-not-diminish-its-value/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“A diamond will never tell you how valuable it is; if you don't already know, you are not worthy of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-diamond-will-never-tell-you-how-valuable-it-is-if-you-don-t-already/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“An original pebble is better than a counterfeit diamond.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/an-original-pebble-is-better-than-a-counterfeit-diamond/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“When a rock transforms into a diamond, lesser stones will not speak of its beauty, but speak of its unpolishedness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/when-a-rock-transforms-into-a-diamond-lesser-stones-will-not-speak-of/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“The past is gold. The present is diamonds. The future is rubies. Eternity is a priceless treasure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/the-past-is-gold-the-present-is-diamonds-the-future-is-rubies/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“A diamond earns its sparkle from the pressure it endures.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-diamond-earns-its-sparkle-from-the-pressure-it-endures/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“Diamonds earn their brightest glow in the dirt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/diamonds-earn-their-brightest-glow-in-the-dirt/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“A diamond earns its value in the dirt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-diamond-earns-its-value-in-the-dirt/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“Seconds are gold, minutes are diamonds, and hours are rubies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/seconds-are-gold-minutes-are-diamonds-and-hours-are-rubies/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“A star is a floating diamond; a diamond is a buried star.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-star-is-a-floating-diamond-a-diamond-is-a-buried-star/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“Todays rocks are tomorrows diamonds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/todays-rocks-are-tomorrows-diamonds/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“A diamond is pressure's masterpiece.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-diamond-is-pressure-s-masterpiece/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“Stars do not hide from darkness. Roses do not hide from thorns. Diamonds do not hide from pressure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/stars-do-not-hide-from-darkness-roses-do-not-hide-from-thorns/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“We all come into the world rocks, but the enlightened leave it diamonds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/we-all-come-into-the-world-rocks-but-the-enlightened-leave-it-diamonds/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“A lily is a water's diamond.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-lily-is-a-water-s-diamond/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

## More by Matshona Dhliwayo

> [“Intelligence says think. Understanding says ponder. Insight says perceive. Enlightenment says overcome.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/intelligence-says-think-understanding-says-ponder-insight-says/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“Love is the heart’s best tenant; it always pays its rent on time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/love-is-the-heart-s-best-tenant-it-always-pays-its-rent-on-time/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“Your mind has the intellect to lift the world, your heart has the wisdom to better the world, and your soul has the genius…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/your-mind-has-the-intellect-to-lift-the-world-your-heart-has-the/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“When a wolf is hungry it befriends sheep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/when-a-wolf-is-hungry-it-befriends-sheep/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“If you try to measure love's power, you will run out of measuring tape.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/if-you-try-to-measure-love-s-power-you-will-run-out-of-measuring-tape/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“Your highest thoughts hold the key to your highest rewards.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/your-highest-thoughts-hold-the-key-to-your-highest-rewards/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“Your soul is your paintbrush, your world is your canvass, your life is your masterpiece.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/your-soul-is-your-paintbrush-your-world-is-your-canvass-your-life-is/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“Truth sees the world as it is; hope sees the world as it could be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/truth-sees-the-world-as-it-is-hope-sees-the-world-as-it-could-be/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“Falling in love is not the problem; hitting your head on the way down is.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/falling-in-love-is-not-the-problem-hitting-your-head-on-the-way-down/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“Life is the school of the wise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/life-is-the-school-of-the-wise/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“Spend time with people who enrich your mind, nourish your heart, and illuminate your soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/spend-time-with-people-who-enrich-your-mind-nourish-your-heart-and/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“You have the world in your hands if you have the universe in your soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/you-have-the-world-in-your-hands-if-you-have-the-universe-in-your-soul/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“A happy wife is the key to a happy home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-happy-wife-is-the-key-to-a-happy-home/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“You cannot fast-forward time, you cannot rewind it, and you cannot pause it; you can only waste or benefit from it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/you-cannot-fast-forward-time-you-cannot-rewind-it-and-you-cannot/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [“In knowledge there is strength, in understanding there is might, and in wisdom there is power.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/in-knowledge-there-is-strength-in-understanding-there-is-might-and-in/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

[Explore all 1,907 Matshona Dhliwayo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

## More Diamond quotes

> [People from all walks of life that you might find as a King Diamond fan - you don't look a certain way; you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-diamond/people-from-all-walks-of-life-that-you-might-find-as-a-king-diamond/)

[King Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/king-diamond/)

> [Asanas bring perfection in body, beauty in form, grace, strength, compactness, and the hardness and brilliance of a diamond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patanjali/asanas-bring-perfection-in-body-beauty-in-form-grace-strength/)

[Patanjali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patanjali/)

> [The brightest and most valuable diamond started life as just a lump of carbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-dilger/the-brightest-and-most-valuable-diamond-started-life-as-just-a-lump/)

[Peter Dilger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-dilger/)

> [It was an incredible experience performing for the members and attendees at the Diamond Resorts Invitational; it was such an impressive event, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-swindell/it-was-an-incredible-experience-performing-for-the-members-and/)

[Cole Swindell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-swindell/)

> [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [The only difference between black coal and a precious diamond is the amount of pressure it endured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/the-only-difference-between-black-coal-and-a-precious-diamond-is-the/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [I like everything with a heaping dose of feminitity, including my cell phone. I created this phone for the classic woman, who like me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimora-lee-simmons/i-like-everything-with-a-heaping-dose-of-feminitity-including-my-cell/)

[Kimora Lee Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimora-lee-simmons/)

> [The sky was a sparkling succession of black diamonds on black velvet made crystal clear by the blackout.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/the-sky-was-a-sparkling-succession-of-black-diamonds-on-black-velvet/)

[Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/)

> [“You're the proverbial diamond in the rough.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/you-re-the-proverbial-diamond-in-the-rough/)

[Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/)

> [My crown is in my heart, not on my head; not decked with diamonds and Indian stones, nor to be seen: my crown is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/my-crown-is-in-my-heart-not-on-my-head-not-decked-with-diamonds-and/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Instead of the 1997 film directed, written, by James Cameron with Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane creating a love story and a large…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-baker/instead-of-the-1997-film-directed-written-by-james-cameron-with/)

[Tom Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-baker/)

> [“I had a dream that my boyfriend went back to his ex…I woke up and giggled because you don’t pick up a rock after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/starley-ard/i-had-a-dream-that-my-boyfriend-went-back-to-his-ex-i-woke-up-and/)

[Starley Ard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/starley-ard/)

> [I'll just do a round around of the house and make sure the rest of the family are fast asleep. We don't want that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerstin-gier/i-ll-just-do-a-round-around-of-the-house-and-make-sure-the-rest-of/)

[Kerstin Gier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerstin-gier/)

> [“A diamond's happy ending is on a crown, but its beauty was formed in dirt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-diamond-s-happy-ending-is-on-a-crown-but-its-beauty-was-formed-in/)

[Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/)

> [What do nations care about the cost of war, if by spending a few hundred millions in steel and gunpowder they can gain a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-do-nations-care-about-the-cost-of-war-if-by-spending-a-few/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

[Browse all 1,004 Diamond quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diamond/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“A dirty diamond is still worth more than a clean pebble.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Matshona Dhliwayo"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-dirty-diamond-is-still-worth-more-than-a-clean-pebble/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Diamond"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-dirty-diamond-is-still-worth-more-than-a-clean-pebble/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/matshona-dhliwayo-52_diamond-quotes_a-dirty-diamond-is-still-worth-more-than_1394059.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/matshona-dhliwayo-52_diamond-quotes_a-dirty-diamond-is-still-worth-more-than_1394059.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/712/matshona-dhliwayo-52_diamond-quotes_a-dirty-diamond-is-still-worth-more-than_1394059.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A dirty diamond is still worth more than a clean pebble.” — Matshona Dhliwayo",
                "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": "Matshona Dhliwayo",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“A dirty diamond is still worth...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-dirty-diamond-is-still-worth-more-than-a-clean-pebble/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-dirty-diamond-is-still-worth-more-than-a-clean-pebble/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```