Appearances are deceitful.[466]
"Always judge your fellow-passengers to be the opposite of what they strive to appear to be. For instance, a military man is not quarrelsome, for no man doubts his courage; but a snob is. A clergyman is not over-straitlaced, for his piety is not questioned; but a cheat is. A lawyer is not apt to be argumentative; but an actor is. A woman that is all smiles and graces is a vixen at heart: snakes fascinate. A stranger that is obsequious and over-civil without apparent cause is treacherous: cats that purr are apt to bite and scratch. Pride is one thing, assumption is another; the latter must always get the cold shoulder, for whoever shows it is no gentleman: men never affect to be what they are, but what they are not. The only man who really is what he appears to be is—a gentleman."[467]
The Livonians say, "The bald pate talks most of hair;" and, "You may freely give a rope to one who talks about hanging."
Yellow iron pyrites is as bright as gold, and has often been mistaken for it. The worthless spangles have even been imported at great cost from California. "Every glowworm is not a fire" (Italian).[468] "Where you think there are flitches of bacon there are not even hooks to hang them on" (Spanish).[469] Many a reputed rich man is insolvent.
Much ado about nothing.
"Great cry and little wool," as the fellow said when he sheared the pig.
"Meikle cry and little woo'," as the deil said when he clipped the sow.—Scotch.
"The mountain is in labour, and will bring forth a mouse" (Latin).[470]
Likely lies in the mire, and unlikely gets over.—Scotch.
Some from whom great things are expected fail miserably, while others of no apparent mark or promise surprise the world by their success.