There is a line in Shakespeare which reads “Gilded tombs do worms enfold.” Many others have said this in different ways, “Appearances are deceiving,” “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” etc. And yet we all are taken in by appearances at some time. The used car that was sharp looking on the outside but never ran for long without a problem, the finished basement with cracks and leaks behind the drywall, the stylish shoes that hurt like hell after 20 minutes are too common experiences.
Still we often judge people by their appearance and not their character. I remember a Turkish story that brought this home later in life. The story goes that the Nazreddin Hoja (hoca is like a rabbi, guru, sensei or spiritual leader) was off tending to his duties far away when he got a late start coming home to a party he was invited to. This was the 13th century so the hoca traveled by donkey and since cement and asphalt roads were not available, the long trip home was dusty and dirty. Being late for the party, the hoca went straight there without changing.
As he milled around the party, people avoided him when possible and if they could not, they disengaged after a few words. The hoca was saddened so he went home, bathed and put on his best clothes before returning to the party. Immediately seeing his fine silk garments and gold jewelry, he was approached by everyone who previously avoided him. Now they listened intently to his utterances.
Well it came time for dinner. Hoca was the center of attention and sat at the head table as the guest of honor. When the food came he filled his plate and then to everyone’s surprise dumped the plate on his lap. “Oh, Hoca, why did you do that to your fine clothes,” the guests cried out. Hoca replied,
“Is it not my fine clothes you honor? When I came dressed as a common man no one honored me. Many avoided me. But when I put on my fine clothes, I received all your attention and praises. So it must be the clothes you honor that deserve this fine meal.”