All that glitters is not gold

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Meaning

Appearances can deceive, and shiny things may lack true worth.

Origin

From 13th-century England, in Chaucer's 1380 'Canterbury Tales'-'al is not gold that glitereth'-but Shakespeare's 1596 'Merchant of Venice' set it as 'all that glisters.

Variants

  • Glitters not gold

Usage Examples

  • That deal looks good, but all that glitters is not gold.
  • All that glitters is not gold; her smile hides tears.
  • He learned all that glitters is not gold with that scam.

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