Too many people make assumptions about the things we meet and have every day based on their appearance. From simple things like vegetables from the grocery store to complex decisions like choosing a person with whom you spend the rest of your life, decisions are made based on the appearance of these things. We choose things based on their appearance from the outside. If something on the outside has not defected, we are excited and believe it is the same on the inside.
However, in many things in life, the outside beauty and perfection are not the most important to the inner beauty and perfection. For instance, a vegetable at the grocery store tastes bad but has high nutrient content, and a book with a colorful cover page is boring and uninspiring. A beautiful woman with a perfect figure, but not a good choice for you to marry. In other words, appearance is not an essential thing.
Consequently, the phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover” speaks volumes in many aspects of people, things, and situations. The phrase prevents people from making misleading judgments about a book because of its cover. For example, many students don’t like the idea of getting up early in the morning to go to school. Some mornings are colder than others, and the sleep is very sweet! But yet they don’t have a choice but to leave their bed for school. Given the sacrifice the student is making, many of them do not quite see the value of their work. Neither can they comprehend that the same sacrifice will be continued for some years.
Nevertheless, the true value of what they have been doing for many years is seen after they start eating the fruits of their labor. Yes, education may be very bitter because of the way we acquire it. However, when we look deeper, education eradicates mediocrity, it improves the livelihood of a person and society at large.
Therefore, conventionally, don’t judge a book by its cover, which means that to know the true value of a thing, you have to spend time with it. In other words, appearance lies. However, the true value of a person is on the inside, in their character.
In the leadership history of Jewish people, as we read the Bible, we come across an old man named Samuel. Samuel was a prophet; he could see things that were yet to happen, and throughout his life, he was dedicated to the service of God. One day, he had a task to undertake, directed by the Lord, to go and anoint another king for the people of Israel from Jesse’s sons since the king who was already in the leadership had disobeyed God. Samuel went to Jesse’s home where he was to anoint the next king of Israel
Upon arrival, Samuel explained the reason for coming to the old man, Jesse. So the old man, Jesse, called out his son and lined them up in order of their age. Oh, these young men on the outside seemed to have all it takes for a king, or rather what Samuel was looking for. The men were tall, handsome, attractive, and were men for battle so Samuel was tempted to anoint them because of their looks, but they were not the best choice.
The best choice for a king in Jesse’s family was looking after his father’s flock in the forest. David, the youngest son had the qualities of a king; his older brothers never knew neither his father. So, when David came from the grazing field, Samuel knew that he was the perfect choice, so he anointed him to be the king though the youngest in his household.
David, while grazing cared for his father’s sheep. He killed a lion and a bear, which could harm the sheep, and saved them. This young man was brave, but none of their family members knew. After the anointing, David achieved many great things, like liberating his society from slavery by the Philistines by killing a fierce warrior, Goliath. David killing this giant, Goliath, escalated his fame by leaps and bounds. All Israel’s warriors, including his brother, feared the giant. There wasn’t a person who dared to confront Goliath, all the warrior had stayed for a day in battle camp in shame and intimidation. However, when David heard of this Philistine warrior, he was eager to kill him and liberate his people. This act can only be done by someone who is braver than we can see.
In light of ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover,’ we obviously see how we are used to judging people for their appearance. David, though young, was the best choice of king. He was so brave and caring. These qualities were not seen on the outside and are not apparent. So, beauty is only skin deep; the true beauty is on the inside.
In conclusion, changing how we see things or people is difficult because we are visual people. It is easy to be lied to that the shiny, beautiful, and flashiest things are ‘better.’ The only way to put discrimination aside is by looking keenly at the true value of everything and by maintaining strict self-discipline. It is only by looking at the less obvious features that we can know the true value of a person, idea, or thing. Then, we shall be confident in our judgment.
Works Cited
http://web.mit.edu/21h.418/www/jrozier/adage7/html
https://www.exampleesssays.com/viewpaper/27394.html.
