Не всё то золото, что блестит
With accent marks:
Не всё то зо́лото, что блести́т.
Translation:
Not everything that glitters is gold.
Meaning:
This proverb is known in many languages of the world. The origins of this expression are not known, but it is often attributed to the ancient Greek poet Aesop. In Latin, the expression sounds like «Non omne quod nitet aurum est».
The meaning of the proverb is simple: not everything that looks valuable has value in reality. This applies not only to the physical world, wealth and gold. A person may seem nice and smart, but in fact turn out to be mean and cowardly. An idea may feel right but hide a sinister intention.
Other Russian proverbs
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A bad example is contagious.
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The beauty of a debt is its payment
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Век живи, век учись, а дураком помрёшь
Live for a century, learn for a century, but die being a fool anyway.
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The best is the enemy of the good.
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A wolf is fed by his legs
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Measure seven times, cut one.
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Заставь дурака богу молиться – он и лоб расшибёт
Make a fool pray to God - he will break his forehead.
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The eyes are scared, but the hands are doing.
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