Not by appearance
is a man rightly known,
nor should trust be based
on a quick glance,
—for, disguised as well-restrained,
the unrestrained go through this world.
A counterfeit earring made of clay,
a bronze half-dollar coated in gold:
They go about in this world
hidden all around—
impure inside,
beautiful out.1
Notes
1. Ud 6:2 tells a nearly identical version of this story, but replaces this verse with the following:
One
should not make an effort everywhere,
should not be another’s hireling,
should not live dependent on another,
should not go about
as a trader in the Dhamma.
Origin URL: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN3_11.html