Alphonse Karr Quotes

Whoever knows he is deep tries to be clear, but whoever wants to seem deep to the crowd tries to be obscure. For the crowd supposes that anything it cannot see to the bottom must be deep: it is so timid and goes so unwillingly into the water.

Appearances are deceptive.

I always liked the idea that America is a big facade. We are all insects crawling across on the shiny hood of a Cadillac. We're all looking at the wrapping. But we won't tear the wrapping to see what lies beneath.

Those who know that they are profound strive for clarity. Those who would like to seem profound to the crowd strive for obscurity. For the crowd believes that if it cannot see to the bottom of something it must be profound. It is so timid and dislikes going into the water.

I don't mind hidden depths but I insist that there be a surface.

Things are entirely what they appear to be and behind them... there is nothing.

You are but an appearance, and not absolutely the thing you appear to be.

Maybe a mother wasn't what she seemed to be on the surface.

Garde-toi, tant que tu vivras, De juger des gens sur la mine. Beware as long as you live, Of judging others according to appearance alone.

I see through your brain like I see through the water that runs down the drain.

Even mud gives the illusion of depth.

Gold can gild a rotten stick, and dirt sully an ingot.

It's easy to create something that has a lot of luster, but it's very hard to make something that has a lot of depth.

Anyone who has looked deeply into the world may guess how much wisdom lies in the superficiality of men. The instinct that preserves them teaches them to be flighty light, and false.

One knows quite well that harmony can be a harmony of appearances.

Polished brass will pass upon more people than rough gold.

No man is esteemed for colorful garments except by fools and women.

All that shimmers on the surface of the world, all that we call interesting, is the fruit of ignorance and inebriation.

You cannot judge a book by its contents.

Perhaps only in a world of the blind will things be what they truly are.

For outward show is a wonderful perverter of the reason.

You can’t go on “seeing through” things forever. The whole point of seeing through something is to see something through it. To “see through” all things is the same as not to see.

Sometimes glass glitters more than diamonds because it has more to prove.

All the worth of some people lies in their name; upon a closer inspection it dwindles to nothing, but from a distance it deceives us.

All that glitters is not gold; Often have you heard that told: Many a man his life has sold But my outside to behold: Gilded tombs do worms enfold Had you been as wise as bold, Your in limbs, in judgment old, Your answer had not been in'scroll'd Fare you well: your suit is cold.' Cold, indeed, and labour lost: Then, farewell, heat and welcome, frost!