Meaning
Attractive, impressive, or valuable-looking appearances can be misleading and do not guarantee that something or someone is actually as good as it seems.
It is used as a warning against judging people, opportunities, or objects purely by their surface appeal, without checking their true worth or substance.
Origin
The idea is ancient and appears in various forms in classical and medieval literature, but the most famous line, from William Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice (1596), fixed the phrase in its modern English wording. In the play, the Prince of Morocco opens a golden casket expecting to win Portia’s hand, only to find a scroll bearing this very warning against superficial judgment.
Examples
The apartment looked amazing in the photos, but all that glitters is not gold; the plumbing was a disaster.
He seemed like the perfect business partner at first, but all that glitters is not gold.
Do not invest just because the branding looks slick, all that glitters is not gold.
A: This job offer sounds too good to be true, a huge salary and no experience needed.
B: Be careful, all that glitters is not gold.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'All that glitters is not gold' mean?
Attractive, impressive, or valuable-looking appearances can be misleading and do not guarantee that something or someone is actually as good as it seems.
It is used as a warning against judging people, opportunities, or objects purely by their surface appeal, without checking their true worth or substance.