Of Books & Covers

Most of us have heard the well-founded advice, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover”, a powerful concept which could easily prevent hastily formed opinions and flawed misperceptions that come all too easily to many of us.

The old man sitting in the corner of a bar will certainly have a story to tell of experiences and obstacles encountered, of successes and failures, family bereavements and other challenges of life. Is it for others to judge his appearance and chosen location to while away his ebbing years and engage with memories that could enlighten the observer?

The unsociable and uncooperative old lady in a retirement home may have been dealt cards in life that were traumatic way beyond the range of experiences that have characterized our life journeys. Do many of us too easily judge her without the perspective of insight into her defining challenges and debilitating obstacles?

The beggar on the street corner or plying his trade at the traffic lights... do we have even the vaguest idea of the circumstances that have put him in that ‘hand to mouth’ survival struggle?

Every person has his or her story to tell...of life-affecting experiences and pivotal events that have defined who and where we are. Most don’t know of or understand these because they have not travelled the unique path which is peculiar to each one of us.

On another level, it can be argued that an unhealthy proportion of us were prone to judging the appeal of the opposite sex on looks and appearance, rather than on the more enduring personality, values and character traits that were more likely to facilitate happy and successful relationships. Maybe levels of maturity played a part.

In all walks of life and at most stages of our journeys from youth through adulthood to our golden years, we are prone to making these judgements that have not been informed by ‘the book’. It seems sad that the human condition, encapsulating our abundant flaws, too readily relies only on ‘the cover’

Relevant literature abounds with the powerful and very meaningful concept of the flaws in judging a book by its cover:

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgement”

John 7:24

“Do not judge my story by the chapter you walked in on”

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“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”

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There seems to be a compelling need for much greater levels of empathy and understanding as we interact with others in our journeys through life.