Hashem created Adam HaRishon in perfect harmony, endowing him with both deep inner wisdom and remarkable external beauty. Throughout history, a select few have been entrusted with a mission connected to Adam’s rectification and have embodied both traits: Yaakov Avinu, Yosef HaTzaddik, Rabbi Abbahu, and Rabbi Kahana, among others. Yerushalayim and its inhabitants similarly reflected this dual excellence, with Rabbi Yochanan recognized as the last of its wise and beautiful sages. Those destined to lead Am Yisrael, such as Shaul and Dovid HaMelech, were likewise distinguished by these exceptional qualities. (Why both are necessary requires another discussion.)
In general, however, in our imperfect world, wisdom and beauty tend to be at odds — either by natural law, where external allure coincides with lesser intellectual depth, or because excessive concern with appearance detracts from pursuit of higher knowledge.
Thus, one who seeks true wisdom should limit his occupation with outward beauty, maintaining a standard of neat, respectable, and dignified dress without indulging in luxury. His focus and energy should be devoted primarily to cultivating his inner world of understanding and spiritual growth, rather than his external appearance.
