I haven’t read the OP or any of the replies, nor do I intend to. I found this interesting quotation from R’ Avigdor Miller ZT”L. It’s originally from Awake, My Glory. I found it in Simcha Minute 2.
Whom does the Jew admire?
The genuine Jew looks to the man of character and good deeds, whereas the nations worship the demagogues and all who are skilled in manipulation of words. The Jews are “refusers” [sarvonim]; they see through the verbiage and imposture, and they refuse to accept whatever the charlatans offer.