Every thing that glitters is not gold

The adage "All that glitters is not gold" cautions us against forming our opinion about objects on the basis of superficial impressions. It also implies that one should try to ascertain the true nature of things and to understand the reality hidden behind their glittering facade.

However, love for glamour is deeply embedded in human nature. Taking advantage of this inherent vulnerability of man to glamour, cash rich companies rope in glamorous film and sports personalities to advertise their goods and services. One would expect that our reading of such stories would make us wise and prevent us from falling prey to temptations of outward beauty. But man, weak as he is, never learns from others' experience. He often courts disaster by giving into temptations.
We are repeatedly warned and alerted by the wise and the experienced not to take persons and things on their face value. The most innocent masks may hide behind them the most cunning of cheats. But very often even the wise fall prey to tricksters.
Companies rope in glamorous film and sports personalities to advertise their dubious goods and services to mislead common people. Even Sita, the consort of Lord Rama, was tempted by the glitter of the golden deer she saw bounding around her forest cottage. False simplicity can be as deceptive as false glamour. Indians have honoured saffron-clad sadhus from times immemorial. Saffron dress stands for renunciation and selflessness of the man who wears it. They have turned out to be hoax and cheats who have amassed wealth and cornered immovable property from the unsuspecting and credulous men. Thus we should follow this proverb.