handsome is as handsome does

Idioms  

1. How one acts is more important than how one looks. For example, He may be homely, but he's the kindest man I've ever met—handsome is as handsome does. This expression already appeared in John Ray's 1670 collection of proverbs.

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Example Sentences

Handsome is as handsome does, Aunt Ivy used to preach.

From Literature

“And handsome is as handsome does.”

From Literature

‘Don’t you go taking advantage of my master because his servant’s no better than a fool. You’ve spoken very handsome all along, put me off my guard, talking of Elves and all. But handsome is as handsome does we say. Now’s a chance to show your quality.’

From Literature

‘But handsome is as handsome does, as we say in the Shire; and I daresay we shall all look much the same after lying for days in hedges and ditches.’

From Literature

“Handsome is as handsome does,” she said.

From Washington Post