Don't judge a book by its cover
Meaning
Do not form an opinion or make assumptions about someone or something based solely on their outward appearance or initial impression.
Origin
The wisdom behind "Don't judge a book by its cover" is ancient, but the phrase itself began to take shape in the 19th century as books became more widely available. One of its earliest printed appearances came from the esteemed Victorian novelist George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) in her 1860 novel, The Mill on the Floss. Here, a character muses, "I am not inclined to judge of books by their covers." This literary seed, born amidst an era of increasing literacy and accessible publishing, bloomed into the universally recognized idiom we use today, urging us to look beyond superficial appearances.
Examples
- The unassuming old shop looked like it sold only knick-knacks, but I reminded myself not to judge a book by its cover, and found a rare antique inside.
- When I first met my new colleague, I thought she seemed unapproachable, but I made an effort to get to know her better, remembering that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and she's actually quite friendly.