This phrase, all that glitters is not gold, is a proverb that warns one that just because something is attractive, does not mean that it is either valuable or what it appears to be.

This phrase dates back to at least the 12th century where a French theologian, Alain de Lille, wrote "Do not hold everything gold that shines like gold." Chaucer's poem, The House of Fame, circa 1380, contained "Hit is not al gold, that glareth". Shakespeare is most often associated with this phrase as he popularized it in The Merchant of Venice; first versions of this play read "all that glisters in not gold" but later versions change glisters to glitters and this version of the phrase has superseded the original. It is believed that Shakespeare wrote this play between 1596 and 1599. Shakespeare's new version was used by John Dryden in his 1687 poem, The Hind and the Panther, where he wrote "For you may palm upon us new for old; all, as they say, that glitters, is not gold."

Use Example - Moving to New York City sounds very exciting but it's a very expensive place to live and it can be hard to find a job. Remember - all that glitters is not gold.

Source Tags : Shakespeare  Chaucer     Concept Tags : False Appearance