A Freshly Shaved Shih Tzu & Human Judgment

Truthful Thursdays

Yesterday, our little Shih Tzu got a full grooming—and not the cute, fluffy kind. We’re talking full shave. All his knots had to go, and now he’s practically a different animal. Bushy body gone, tiny legs out, and only his face remains vaguely familiar. I swear if I passed him on the street, I wouldn’t recognize him. And yet… he’s still him.

Same playfulness. Same quirks. Same soul.

It made me realize how visually dependent we are when it comes to recognizing not just dogs, but people. We think we know someone because of how they look. We assign labels instantly—at the mall, online, walking past someone on the street. Even if we claim to be open-minded, appearance still influences our perception more than we’d like to admit.

The Stoics remind us that character is what matters. And character isn’t worn like a coat. It isn’t styled, cut, shaved, or dressed. Character is invisible. But it’s also the truest part of a person.

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This post is for paid subscribers. Keep reading for the Stoic perspective shift that can help you judge others (and yourself) more wisely—and a practice you can try this week.

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