A good horse cannot be of a bad colour.
Meaning: True worth transcends superficial appearance; judge merit by substance, not by external characteristics.
Origin: Recorded in A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, an undated collection published in London by Whittaker & Co. around 1880 and credited to Thomas Preston. Its earlier history hasn't been traced.
More proverbs about Morality
- A good horse often wants a good spur. — Even capable people require motivation or external pressure to perform at their best pote…
- The ignorant think all things wrong which they cannot understand. — Fear of the unfamiliar breeds contempt; incomprehension masquerades as moral judgment in…
- He goes not out of his way that goes to a good inn. — Detours toward virtue are worthwhile journeys, not wasteful deviations from your path.
- He hath a good judgment who is apt to distrust his own. — Self-doubt in judgment reveals wisdom; overconfidence in one's own reasoning breeds folly…
- Just is honest, and honest is just. — Integrity and fairness are inseparable—acting justly requires honesty, and honesty demand…
- Knavery may serve for a turn, but honesty is best in the long run. — Dishonest shortcuts yield temporary gains but ultimately destroy trust and prosperity.
From our idioms
- de nek omdraaien — To kill or destroy someone or something, or to bring an end to a project or endeavor.
- weten waar Abraham de mosterd haalt — To be well-informed or knowledgeable about how things really work.
- schoon schip maken — To make a thorough reform of an organization by removing bad practices or undesirable peo…