Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he's well dressed. There ain't much credit in that.
Interpretation
True character is tested by how one behaves when not impeccably presented.
This quote by Charles Dickens highlights the idea that superficial appearances can give a false sense of merit. Being well-dressed and in a good mood may be easy, but it’s when one faces challenges or is stripped of outward adornments that true character is revealed, thus emphasizing the importance of inner qualities over outer appearances.
In practice
In a discussion about leadership, one might say, 'As Dickens noted, true character shines through even without the finest attire.'
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.
If you wish to find, you must search. Rarely does a good idea interrupt you
I endeavor to be wise when I cannot be merry, easy when I cannot be glad, content with what cannot be mended, and patient when there be no redress.
So he tasted the deep pain that is reserved only for the strong, just as he had tasted for a little while the deep happiness.
Every positive thing in your life represents a single unique blessing. Every negative thing in your life has the opportunity to become a double blessing. For when you turn a negative into a positive, you gain twice. You are no longer burdened with the negative situation, and in addition to that you are strengthened by a new positive force.
He who would be serene and pure needs but one thing, detachment.
Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, 'Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person i want to be? Is today the day I die?
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