Fancy may bolt bran and think it flour.
Meaning: Imagination can disguise inferior things as valuable when we fail to examine them closely.
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 Wisdom
- You may go farther and fare worse. — Pursuing distant goals risks worse outcomes than accepting present imperfect circumstance…
- Every one basteth the fat hog, while the lean one burneth. — Abundance attracts care and investment; scarcity receives neglect and harm.
- A fault once denied is twice committed. — Refusing to acknowledge wrongdoing compounds the original error by adding dishonesty.
- Every one's faults are not written on their foreheads. — We cannot judge people's character by appearances; hidden flaws require deeper knowledge…
- The faulty stands on his guard. — One conscious of personal weakness remains vigilant against exploitation or exposure.
- A feast is not made of mushrooms only. — Variety and balance are essential; no single element, however good, sustains a complete w…
From our idioms
- con el rabo entre las piernas — In a state of shame, defeat, or humiliation; cowed and demoralized.
- quedarle cuerda — To still have plenty of energy, vitality, or usefulness left.
- de grado o por fuerza — Whether one likes it or not; willingly or unwillingly.