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l'abito non fa il monaco
/lˈaːbito non fa il ˈmɔːnako/◆proverb
appearances can be deceiving
Non giudicare un uomo dall'abito che indossa; l'abito non fa il monaco.
Don't judge a man by the clothes he wears; appearances can be deceiving.
informal
This proverb means that one should not judge someone based solely on their outward appearance, as it does not necessarily reflect their true character or abilities.
Anche se indossa un abito elegante, l'abito non fa il monaco; potrebbe non essere affatto un professionista.
Even if he wears an elegant suit, appearances can be deceiving; he might not be a professional at all.
Non fidarti delle prime impressioni; l'abito non fa il monaco.
Don't trust first impressions; appearances can be deceiving.
This proverb is often used to caution against superficial judgments and to emphasize the importance of getting to know someone before forming opinions.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Cultural Context
This proverb reflects the Italian cultural value of looking beyond superficial qualities to understand a person's true nature.
Gold Rule
Usage Rule
Use this proverb when advising someone not to judge based on appearances, especially in situations where first impressions might be misleading.
Word Origin
The phrase originates from medieval times when monks wore simple robes, but their true character and devotion were not determined by their clothing.
Usage Notes
This proverb is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to advise against judging people or things based solely on their appearance.
Dizionario Italiano-Inglese