Gentility without ability is worse than plain beggary.

Meaning: Social pretense without competence breeds contempt; honest poverty deserves more respect than incompetent arrogance.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

More proverbs about Wisdom

• Gentle strokes make the sweetest harmony. — Soft, patient efforts create more pleasing results than forceful or aggressive approaches…
• A gift with a kind countenance is a double gift. — Generosity paired with warmth of expression multiplies its emotional value beyond the mat…
• He giveth twice who gives in a trice. — Quick generosity prevents the recipient's anxiety and disappointment, making one gift fee…
• Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. — Vulnerability to retaliation makes criticism hypocritical when one shares the same flaws…
• Men strain at gnats, and swallow camels! — Obsessing over trivial faults while tolerating serious wrongs reveals misplaced moral pri…
• Better go about than fall into the ditch. — Taking an indirect, longer route safely beats risking catastrophe through the shortest pa…

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…