J. R. R. Tolkien Quotes

It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.

Hyt is not al golde that glareth.

Most portraits are lies. People are rarely what they appear to be, especially in front of a camera. You might know me your entire lifetime and never reveal yourself to me. To interpret wrinkles as character is insult not insight.

Looks can be deceiving.

The business aspect of this sport is a contradiction to what it's really about, and that's knowing something for what it is and not just what it looks like.

Some men, like modern shops, hang everything in their show windows; when one goes inside, nothing is to be found.

The ones who look the most suspicious are likely innocent. It's the ones who look innocent I need to beware.

Never trust a shiny surface. They hide a multitude of flaws.

Appearances often are deceiving.

So may the outward shows be least themselves; The world is still deceived with ornament.

Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.

Through tattered clothes great vices do appear; Robes and furred gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold and the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks. Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw does pierce it.

He did seem like a nice boy. Seeming and being are two different things.

Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel. Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are.

It doesn't have to glitter to be gold.

Do not conceive that fine clothes make fine men any more than fine feathers make fine birds.

A wise man looks upon men as he does on horses; all their caparisons of title, wealth, and place, he considers but as harness.

Gold can gild a rotten stick, and dirt sully an ingot.

Things don't always look as they seem.

Show is not substance; realities govern wise men.

Not always the fanciest cake that's there Is the best to eat!

Appearances are deceptive.

Tis an old saying, the Devil lurks behind the cross. All is not gold that glitters. From the tail of the plough, Bamba was made King of Spain; and from his silks and riches was Rodrigo cast to be devoured by the snakes.

Gold in its native state is but dull, unornamental stuff, and only lowborn metals excite the admiration of the ignorant with an ostentatious glitter. However, like the rest of the world, I still go on underrating men of gold and glorifying men of mica.