WHAT YOU REALLY ARE MORE THAN WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO APPEAR TO BE

"Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one."

Baltasar Gracian

17th century Spanish philosopher/writer

Aspire to be smart, concerned, empathetic, engaged, etc. rather than aspiring to appear smart, concerned, empathetic, engaged, etc.

Appearances count, however ultimately, not for much.