ce qui brille est or

/sə ki bʁij lɛ tɔʁ/◆proverb

not everything shiny is valuable

Ne te fie pas à ce qui brille, car ce qui brille est or.

Don't trust what shines, because not everything shiny is valuable.

◆ What It Really Means

A warning that appearances can be deceiving, especially when something seems valuable or attractive at first glance.

¶ Literal Meaning

What shines is gold.

Literal Breakdown

ce qui brillewhat shines+est oris gold

◇ Mental Image

The mental image of gold shining brightly, symbolizing value and attractiveness, but also the idea that not everything that looks like gold is genuine.

◈ When to Use

A friend is about to buy an expensive item because it looks impressive. You might say, 'Remember, ce qui brille est or—don't judge it just by its appearance.'

◉ Cultural Note

This proverb is a classic example of French wisdom, emphasizing the importance of looking beyond surface appearances to understand true value.

literary

A warning that appearances can be deceiving, especially when something seems valuable or attractive at first glance.

Il a acheté la voiture parce qu'elle brillait, mais il a découvert plus tard qu'elle était en mauvais état.

He bought the car because it shone, but he later found out it was in bad condition.

This proverb is often used to caution against superficial judgments.

Synonyms

les apparences sont trompeuses il ne faut pas se fier aux apparences

Related Phrases

tout ce qui brille n'est pas orproverb

not everything shiny is valuable

Pro Tip

Cultural Context

This proverb is deeply rooted in French culture and is often used in literature, philosophy, and everyday advice.

Word Origin

This proverb originates from the idea that gold is valuable, but not everything that looks like gold is genuine. It has been used in French literature and proverbs for centuries.

Usage Notes

This expression is often used in a cautionary or philosophical context to advise against judging things solely by their outward appearance.

Word Breakdown

ce qui brille

what shines

phrase

est or

is gold

phrase

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