Ever judge of men by their professions. For though the bright moment
of promising is but a moment, and cannot be prolonged, yet if sincere
in its moment's extravagant goodness, why, trust it, and know the
man by it, I say,--not by his performance; which is half the world's
work, interfere as the world needs must with its accidents and circumstances:
the profession was purely the man's own. I judge people by what they
might be,--not are, nor will be.
-- Robert Browning (1812-1890)
-- A Soul's Tragedy, Act ii
