Bāozi yǒu ròu, bù zài zhě shàng.

Lit [Whether or not a] dumpling [is decently filled] with meat [can]not [be judged] from [how well the decorative] folds [are made on the outside].

Fig Whether someone is good, (talented, wealthy, etc.) cannot be judged by superficial appearance. “Don't judge a book by its cover.”

Topics APPEARANCES EVALUATION JUDGMENTS