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• All that glitters is not gold
  All that glitters is not gold

  Things that appear on the surface to be of great value may be quite worthless.
• all that glitters is not gold
  all that glitters is not gold

  Something attractive is not always what it seems, as in This house is really beautiful, but a close look will show dry rot near the foundation—all that glitters is not gold. Aesop stated the same idea in two of his fables (c. 600 b.c.), and a version close to the current wording appeared in 1175.

All that glitters is not gold

Cultural  

1. Things that appear on the surface to be of great value may be quite worthless.

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all that glitters is not gold Idioms  

1. Something attractive is not always what it seems, as in This house is really beautiful, but a close look will show dry rot near the foundation—all that glitters is not gold. Aesop stated the same idea in two of his fables (c. 600 b.c.), and a version close to the current wording appeared in 1175.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

All that glitters is not gold all that glitters is not gold

"All that glitters is not gold, Often you have heard that told; Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold!"

From Shakspere, Personal Recollections by Joyce, John A.

All that glitters is not gold: Think of this when that beef's cold.

From Mr. Punch's After-Dinner Stories by Hammerton, J. A. (John Alexander)

What is it that comes to tell us All that glitters is not gold?

From Life and Literature Over two thousand extracts from ancient and modern writers, and classified in alphabetical order by Richardson, John Purver

All that glitters is not gold, Herr Candidate.

From The Romance of the Canoness A Life-History by Heyse, Paul

Willie learned the truth of the axiom that "All that glitters is not gold," even "A Gilded Age" on that memorable night, for it materially injured the business during the remainder of his engagement.

From The Mormons and the Theatre or The History of Theatricals in Utah by Lindsay, John S.

Adams acknowledged that while all that glitters is not gold, the Rams’ foundation under McVay and their personnel and mindset give them an opportunity to be a championship-caliber team.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2025

While you may not always see them strike a deal, you’re always guaranteed a chuckle and a reminder that all that glitters is not gold.

From New York Times ● Apr. 1, 2024

In the Hollywood world of make-believe all that glitters is not gold.

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2023

"But all that glitters is not gold," our narrator Rosamund Pike warns, as our American television star embarks on an alliance with a family that "will do whatever it takes to survive."

From Salon ● Feb. 16, 2020

As all that glitters is not gold, sir, Read and ponder what I’ve told, sir.

From Southern War Songs Camp-Fire, Patriotic and Sentimental by Various