Встречают по одёжке, провожают по уму
Vstretili po odezhke, provozhayut po umu
Literal translation
"They greet by clothes, but bid farewell by mind"
English equivalent
"First impressions are based on appearance, but true judgment comes from intelligence and character."
What does it mean?
Don't judge a book by its cover
When to use
Не суди его так строго, ведь встречают по одёжке, провожают по уму.
Example in use
Russian
Don't judge him so harshly; don't judge a book by its cover.
Translation
Use this to advise someone not to judge others too quickly or to explain that initial impressions are superficial.
Origin
Literary origins
Full history & cultural context
This proverb became highly popular in the 19th century and is often attributed to Russian literature of that period. It encapsulates the realization that while the initial look (clothing) matters in social settings, long-term relationships rely on the person's intellectual depth.
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