Chapter 42
True Worth Beyond Status and Wealth
OF THE INEQUALITY AMOUNGST US. Plutarch says somewhere that he does not find so great a difference betwixt beast and beast as he does betwixt man and man; which he says in reference to the internal qualities and perfections of the soul. And, in truth, I find so vast a distance betwixt Epaminondas, according to my judgment of him, and some that I know, who are yet men of good sense, that I could willingly enhance upon Plutarch, and say that there is more difference betwixt such and such a man than there is betwixt such a man and such…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Judge the Horse, Not the Saddle
Think of someone you initially judged positively or negatively based on surface appearances - their clothes, car, job, accent, or social media presence. Write down what you noticed first, then list three deeper qualities you discovered later that either confirmed or completely contradicted your first impression. Finally, identify one person in your current life you might be misjudging based on externals.
Consider:
- •Focus on actual behaviours and character traits, not just different surface markers
- •Consider how your own background and experiences shaped your initial judgment
- •Think about times when others might have misjudged you based on appearances
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone looked past your surface appearance to see your real value, or when you had to prove yourself despite not having the 'right' credentials or image. How did that experience change how you evaluate others?
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