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

‘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 "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Beauty is skin deep, and handsome is as handsome does," I paraded my English "Oh, she is a good girl every way: a fine housekeeper, good-natured, and educated.

From The Rise of David Levinsky by Cahan, Abraham

Handsome enough, your Honor," he said, "unless handsome is as handsome does.

From To Have and to Hold by Johnston, Mary

But handsome is as handsome does, and rose-beetle causes more damage than her clumsy cousin, for Rose feeds on rose-bushes as well as on fruit trees.

From Little Busybodies The Life of Crickets, Ants, Bees, Beetles, and Other Busybodies by Marks, Jeannette Augustus

I reckernize ther fact that he ain't none pretty, but handsome is as handsome does.

From Ted Strong's Motor Car by Taylor, Edward C.