--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Gross and obscure natures, however…" description: "\"Gross and obscure natures, however decorated, seem impure shambles; but character gives splendor to youth, and awe to wrinkled skin and gray hairs.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_awe_gross-and-obscure-natures-however-decora_1087971.png" --- # Gross and obscure natures, however decorated, seem impure… ![“Gross and obscure natures, however decorated, seem impure shambles; but character gives splendor to youth, and awe to wrinkled skin and gray hairs.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_awe_gross-and-obscure-natures-however-decora_1087971.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_awe_gross-and-obscure-natures-however-decora_1087971.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_awe_gross-and-obscure-natures-however-decora_1087971.png) > “Gross and obscure natures, however decorated, seem impure shambles; but character gives splendor to youth, and awe to wrinkled skin and gray hairs.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even flawed appearances can be redeemed by strong character, which beautifies all ages. **In simple terms:** Character makes all ages beautiful. Key Takeaway Cultivate strong character. Themes character beauty age morality Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - leadership - education - personal coaching - intergenerational dialogue Key Concepts Transcendentalism ethics self‑development Questions to Reflect On - How can character outweigh appearance? - What habits build lasting character? A Different Perspective Physical appearance often dominates perception. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Awe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awe/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Gray hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gray-hair/) [Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Shambles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shambles/) [Splendor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/splendor/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [I'm 38, and everyone is making a big deal out of it because I got a few gray hairs cropping in my sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-parish/i-m-38-and-everyone-is-making-a-big-deal-out-of-it-because-i-got-a/) [Robert Parish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-parish/) > [“I sighed. “Monica? I haven’t waxed my eyebrows, or any other essential areas, in over a month. I have four gray hairs at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amalie-silver/i-sighed-monica-i-haven-t-waxed-my-eyebrows-or-any-other-essential/) [Amalie Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amalie-silver/) > [The person who doesn't scatter the morning dew will not comb gray hairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/the-person-who-doesn-t-scatter-the-morning-dew-will-not-comb-gray/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [Gray hairs are signs of wisdom if you hold your tongue, speak and they are but hairs, as in the young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/gray-hairs-are-signs-of-wisdom-if-you-hold-your-tongue-speak-and-they/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“There was another silence, of the kind in which gray hairs seem to creep up on you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/there-was-another-silence-of-the-kind-in-which-gray-hairs-seem-to/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafón](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [Bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave. -Genesis xlii. 38](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/bring-down-my-gray-hairs-with-sorrow-to-the-grave-genesis-xlii-38/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Our spirits grow gray before our hairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/our-spirits-grow-gray-before-our-hairs/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [Eternity has no gray hairs. The flowers fade, the heart withers, people grow old and die, the world lies down in the sepulchre of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reginald-heber/eternity-has-no-gray-hairs-the-flowers-fade-the-heart-withers-people/) [Reginald Heber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reginald-heber/) > [“Although initially only few in numbers, it seems my gray hairs have launched an effective peer-pressure campaign intended to convert the others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/although-initially-only-few-in-numbers-it-seems-my-gray-hairs-have/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [Gray hairs are death's blossoms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-schiller/gray-hairs-are-death-s-blossoms/) [Friedrich Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-schiller/) > [Nothing dates one so dreadfully as to think someplace is uptown. At our age one must be watchful of these conversational gray hairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-gordon/nothing-dates-one-so-dreadfully-as-to-think-someplace-is-uptown-at/) [Ruth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-gordon/) > [By common consent gray hairs are a crown of glory; the only object of respect that can never excite envy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/by-common-consent-gray-hairs-are-a-crown-of-glory-the-only-object-of/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [I'm having a midlife crisis. The gray hairs are not passing. But I am trying to age with dignity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-prinze-jr-2/i-m-having-a-midlife-crisis-the-gray-hairs-are-not-passing-but-i-am/) [Freddie Prinze Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-prinze-jr-2/) > [These wrinkles are nothing These gray hairs are nothing, This stomach which sags with old food, these bruised and swollen ankles, my darkening brain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-strand/these-wrinkles-are-nothing-these-gray-hairs-are-nothing-this-stomach/) [Mark Strand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-strand/) > [I think too many people, if you are 46 you want to look 36, and if you're 36 you want to look 26. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-church/i-think-too-many-people-if-you-are-46-you-want-to-look-36-and-if-you/) [Eric Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-church/) ## More by Ralph Waldo Emerson > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-then-creative-reading-as-well-as-creative-writing-when-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Life only avails, not the having lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-only-avails-not-the-having-lived/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-child-reminds-us-that-playtime-is-an-essential-part-of-our-daily/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [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/) > [I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-therefore-i-had-nothing-better-to-do-than-to-think/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Explore all 4,802 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More Awe quotes > [Because I've never had any higher education of any sort, I've never held in awe those who have had it or have a sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-corbyn/because-i-ve-never-had-any-higher-education-of-any-sort-i-ve-never/) [Jeremy Corbyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-corbyn/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [When I look at the human brain I'm still in awe of it. Every single time you lift off the bone and open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/when-i-look-at-the-human-brain-i-m-still-in-awe-of-it-every-single/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [“I know you deserve better than me. You think I don’t know that? But if there was any woman made for me … it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/i-know-you-deserve-better-than-me-you-think-i-don-t-know-that-but-if/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [There are certain scenes that would awe an atheist into belief without the help of any other argument.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-gray/there-are-certain-scenes-that-would-awe-an-atheist-into-belief/) [Thomas Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-gray/) > [As we contemplate with reverence and awe how our Savior embraces us, comforts us, and heals us, let us commit to become His hands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/as-we-contemplate-with-reverence-and-awe-how-our-savior-embraces-us/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [My journey deep into coma, outside this lowly physical realm and into the loftiest dwelling place of the almighty Creator, revealed the indescribably immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eben-alexander/my-journey-deep-into-coma-outside-this-lowly-physical-realm-and-into/) [Eben Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eben-alexander/) > [Awe combined with intimacy is the essence of Christian worship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/awe-combined-with-intimacy-is-the-essence-of-christian-worship/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Everything we perceive to be solid and static is made up of almost entirely empty space.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/everything-we-perceive-to-be-solid-and-static-is-made-up-of-almost/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [“Oftentimes we call Life bitter names, but only when we ourselves are bitter and dark. And we deem her empty and unprofitable, but only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/oftentimes-we-call-life-bitter-names-but-only-when-we-ourselves-are/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [The laws of nature are the skeleton of the universe. They support it, give it shape, tie it together. Taken as a whole, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-trefil/the-laws-of-nature-are-the-skeleton-of-the-universe-they-support-it/) James Trefil > [When you look at yourself and feel dissatisfaction about any part of you, you will continue to attract feelings of dissatisfaction, because the law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/when-you-look-at-yourself-and-feel-dissatisfaction-about-any-part-of/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [“What can we make of the inexpressible joy of children? It is a kind of gratitude, I think—the gratitude of the ten-year-old who wakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/what-can-we-make-of-the-inexpressible-joy-of-children-it-is-a-kind-of/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [Sometimes not seeing things can be a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/sometimes-not-seeing-things-can-be-a-blessing/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [I'm always in awe at how fast television is and how quickly you're called upon to be 100 percent invested in a character with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/latanya-richardson/i-m-always-in-awe-at-how-fast-television-is-and-how-quickly-you-re/) [LaTanya Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/latanya-richardson/) [Browse all 1,119 Awe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Gross and obscure natures, however decorated, seem impure shambles; but character gives splendor to youth, and awe to wrinkled skin and gray hairs.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/gross-and-obscure-natures-however-decorated-seem-impure-shambles-but/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Awe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/gross-and-obscure-natures-however-decorated-seem-impure-shambles-but/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_awe_gross-and-obscure-natures-however-decora_1087971.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_awe_gross-and-obscure-natures-however-decora_1087971.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a4/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_awe_gross-and-obscure-natures-however-decora_1087971.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Gross and obscure natures, however decorated, seem impure shambles; but character gives splendor to youth…” — Ralph Waldo Emerson", "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": "Ralph Waldo Emerson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Gross and obscure natures, however decorated,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/gross-and-obscure-natures-however-decorated-seem-impure-shambles-but/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/gross-and-obscure-natures-however-decorated-seem-impure-shambles-but/#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 } } ] } ```