a monkey in silk is a monkey no less
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used to say that external appearances or material possessions do not change one's true nature or inherent qualities
The proverb "a monkey in silk is a monkey no less" is believed to have origins in 16th-century English literature, with similar expressions appearing in various texts. The saying suggests that superficial changes or attempts to appear refined do not alter one's fundamental character. It serves as a reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that a person’s true qualities or nature are what truly define them, regardless of external changes or efforts to appear different.
- I try to judge people based on their actions, not their outward appearance, because a monkey in silk is a monkey no less.