There cannot be a greater sign of a weak mind, than a person’s valuing
himself on a gaudy outside, whether it consist of the beauties of the
person, or the still more contemptible vanity of fine cloaths. This
kind of misguided pride, while it endeavours to exalt, commonly tends
to lower the persons who are infected with it; but never renders them
so truly ridiculous as when it inspires them with a contempt of those
who have ten times more worth than themselves. To value ourselves
upon the glitter and finery of dress is one of the most trifling of
all vanities; and a man of sense would be ashamed to bestow upon it
the least attention. They who examine things by the scale of common
sense, must find something of weight and substance before they can be
persuaded to set a value upon it. The mind that is stored with virtuous
and rational sentiments, and the behaviour which is founded upon
complacency and humility, stamp a value upon the possessor, which all
men of discernment are ever ready to admire and acknowledge.
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