Judge not by size?

The easiest way for people to judge is by size. 'Small equals weak; weak equals insignificant' is about the most simple and, possibly, unconscious judgments that people make. Obviously, that's among the more stupid judgments that can be made but, hey, when has the fear of being seen as stupid ever stopped anyone from doing anything? Especially when the majority of the world agrees with you?

Of course, philosophers are not stupid and, thus, Tiru has this to say about it.

Uruvu kandu eLLaamai vendum urupperumthaerkku acchaani annaar udaiththu - Tirukkural

Do not despise the small; they could be very important, like the small linch-pin of the wheel of a large chariot - Loose Translation

Without the linch-pin, the large chariot will be useless. Thus, the small man who you meet may be the key person in a large enterprise/endeavour. Judging his importance by his size would be folly.

'Small', however, is very easy to interpret in terms of physical size alone. But, perhaps, Tiru was not necessaily being that literal. When people talk of 'small people' derogatorily, it is not always the height of the person that they consider; it could, and most probably is, their position in the organisation/society. A short rich man is not met with this contempt in comparison with even a tall poor man.

That, too, is folly. It could well be that that person, lowly though you may think him to be, may be a key person in his own capacity, like that linch-pin. Such people end up being ignored when they are present but be missed badly when they are absent.

A 'lowly' person may carry the seeds of greatness in him which has not yet had time to flower. What would you have seen in a Dhirubhai Ambani in his early days? So, even if someone is in an insignificant position and not a linch-pin in any activity, he may have the strength and determination to hold up a chariot, given the opportunity. AND could well search for and seize the opportunity in time.

Judging a person based on what he is at the moment can be folly. Instead, judge everyone on his potential.

Easier said than done? Of course! Why else am I dispensing advice instead of acting on it?