Though with those streams he no resemblance hold, Whose foam is amber and their gravel gold; His genuine and less guilty wealth t' explore, Search not his bottom, but survey his shore.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Rather than digging for hidden wealth, observe the visible fruits of a person's honest life.
- In plain terms
- Judge wealth by the surface results, not by digging deep.
- What can you take from it?
- Look at outward signs of a good life instead of hidden secrets.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you judge others' success?
- What lies just beneath the surface?
Another view
Hidden motives are often more important than surface appearances.
More from John Denham
Search not to find what lies too deeply hid, Nor to know things, whose knowledge is forbid.
Permalink to quote #7 Oh, could I flow like thee, and make thy stream My great example, as it is my theme! Though deep, yet clear; though gentle, yet not dull; Strong without rage; …
Permalink to quote #9 Youth, what man's age is like to be doth show, We may our ends by our beginnings know.
Permalink to quote #6
Related quotes
La vertu s'avilit a se justifier.
VoltaireVoltaire quote #1 So little in his purse, so much upon his back.
Joseph HallJoseph Hall quote #1 Best they honor thee Who honor in thee only what is best.
William WatsonWilliam Watson quote #5