tout ce qui brille n'est pas or

/tu sə ki bʁij nɛ pa ɔʁ/
proverb★Intermediate◆proverb
◆ What It Really Means
A warning that outward appearances can be misleading and that true value or worth may not be immediately apparent.
Literal Meaning
Everything that shines is not gold.
Literal Breakdown
toutall+ce qui brillethat which shines+n'est pasis not+orgold
◇ Mental Image
The metaphor of gold, which is valuable and often shiny, contrasts with other shiny objects that may be worthless, illustrating the danger of superficial judgments.
◈ When to Use
A friend is considering a job offer based solely on the high salary and prestige, and you advise them to consider the work environment and responsibilities as well, saying, 'Remember, tout ce qui brille n'est pas or.'
◉ Cultural Note
This proverb is part of a broader cultural emphasis in French society on skepticism toward superficiality and the importance of deeper understanding in decision-making.
formalinformal

Not everything that appears valuable or attractive is genuinely so; appearances can be deceiving.

Ne te fie pas aux apparences : tout ce qui brille n'est pas or.

Don't trust appearances: all that glitters is not gold.

Il a acheté cette voiture parce qu'elle était brillante, mais elle est tombée en panne après une semaine. Tout ce qui brille n'est pas or.

He bought that car because it was shiny, but it broke down after a week. All that glitters is not gold.

💡

This proverb warns against judging something solely by its outward appearance.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

les apparences sont trompeusesproverb
Appearances can be deceiving
ne pas se fier aux apparencesphrase
Don't trust appearances

💡Pro Tip

Cultural Context

This proverb is widely used in French to emphasize the importance of looking beyond surface-level qualities, whether in personal relationships, business, or everyday decisions.

⚡Gold Rule

Usage Rule

Use this proverb when cautioning someone against making hasty judgments based on superficial attributes.

📖Word Origin

This proverb dates back to the 16th century and is often attributed to François Rabelais, though its origins are uncertain. It reflects a timeless caution against superficial judgments.

📝Usage Notes

This proverb is used in both formal and informal contexts to advise caution when evaluating people, objects, or situations based on initial impressions.

Word Breakdown

tout ce qui brille
everything that shines
phrase
+
n'est pas or
is not gold
phrase
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais