It is not the gay coat that makes the gentleman.华丽的服装并不能造就高尚的人。
此句用的是强调句型,为了强调not the gay coat,否则一般的说法是:The gay coat does not make the gentleman。此句亦可译作:君子在德不在衣。
同样意思的谚语还有:
A fair face may hide a foul heart.
漂亮的面孔可能掩盖着一颗肮脏的心。
The peacock has fair feathers, but foul feet.
孔雀有美丽的羽毛,但丑陋的脚。
Fair without, false within.
外表美丽,内心虚伪。
You cannot judge a tree by its bark.
人不可以貌相。
以上谚语都是指出外表美好的,内心不一定好。中国人也常用绣花枕头里面装的稻草来作比喻。
同样的意思可参阅另两组谚语:Appearances are deceptive.Fine feathers make fine birds.