You don't carry in your countenance a letter of recommendation.
Interpretation
Your appearance and demeanor do not define your worth or capabilities.
This quote by Charles Dickens suggests that one's internal qualities, skills, and character cannot be conveyed solely through outward appearances. Instead of relying on superficial judgments or credentials, it emphasizes the importance of personal merit and how true recommendations come from actions rather than looks. It is a reminder that the value of a person is much deeper than their external presentation.
In practice
During a job interview to emphasize the importance of personal character.
I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
A silent look of affection and regard when all other eyes are turned coldly away-the consciousness that we possess the sympathy and affection of one being when all others have deserted us-is a hold, a stay, a comfort, in the deepest affliction, which no wealth could purchase, or power bestow.
Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts. I was better after I had cried, than before--more sorry, more aware of my own ingratitude, more gentle.
There are not a few among the disciples of charity who require, in their vocation, scarcely less excitement than the votaries of pleasure in theirs.
You might, from your appearance, be the wife of Lucifer,” said Miss Pross, in her breathing. “Nevertheless, you shall not get the better of me. I am an Englishwoman.
Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.
Hard work keeps the wrinkles out of the mind and spirit.
Afraid of decision, I buried my finer feelings in the depths of my heart and they died there.
Truth has to be repeated constantly, because Error also is being preached all the time, and not just by a few, but by the multitude. In the Press and Encyclopaedias, in Schools and Universities, everywhere Error holds sway, feeling happy and comfortable in the knowledge of having Majority on its side.
It is madness to make fortune the mistress of events, because by herself she is nothing and is ruled by prudence.
I insist on a lot of time being spent, almost every day, to just sit and think. That is very uncommon in American business. I read and think. So I do more reading and thinking, and make less impulse decisions than most people in business. I do it because I like this kind of life.
The farther you look back, the farther you can look ahead.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.