Pannus lacer

A tattered garment, which, if a man has the misfortune to be obliged to appear in, it being what is first seen and noticed, he is usually rejected, without trying whether, under that sordid and wretched outside, there may not lie talents, which might make him a valuable associate.

«Want is the scorn of every wealthy fool,
and wit in rags is turn'd to ridicule».

But this might be borne, and it might perhaps be in some measure compensated, if the contempt in which persons so accoutred are held, should incite in such as have abilities, so much industry and frugality, as might guarantee them from falling into a state of indigence, which is not so impracticable, as it is often supposed to be. But when men become indigent through misfortune, their distress is more than doubled, when they find that those who in their prosperity courted, now turn their backs upon them, and this, it is to be feared, is no uncommon case.

­—————«poverty,
when no ill else will do't, makes all friends fly».

Anciently, when any thing was rejected, and put away with contempt, it was said to be thrown away like a worn out and tattered garment. «Did you observe, how he turned up his nose at it?» is our more common phrase, when any thing is refused with disdain.