
21.07.2001 - p.445
Theft by Finding: Diaries, Volume 1 (1977-2002) (2017)
Maxims of an Old Stager.
Context: Always judge your fellow passengers to be the opposite of what they strive to appear to be.
For instance, a military man is not quarrelsome, for no man doubts his courage; but a snob is.
A clergyman is not over strait- laced, for his piety is not questioned; but a cheat is.
A lawyer is not apt to be argumentative; but an actor is.
A woman that is all smiles and graces is a vixen at heart : snakes fascinate.
A stranger that is obsequious and over-civil without apparent cause is treacherous: cats that purr are apt to bite and scratch.
Pride is one thing, assumption is another; the latter must always get the cold shoulder, for whoever shews it is no gentleman: men never affect to be what they are, but what they are not. The only man who really is what he appears to be is — a gentleman.
21.07.2001 - p.445
Theft by Finding: Diaries, Volume 1 (1977-2002) (2017)
“I've told you before. You shouldn't judge people based on appearances and your preconceptions.”
“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
NASB, John 7:24
Variant translation: Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment. (NIV)
Variants of major statements
Series 1 - Textiles (9 Nov 2016)
BBC Radio 4 - Dr John Cooper Clarke at the BBC (Nov 2016)