The line “all that glisters is not gold” was famously written by William Shakespeare.

Quick Scoop

  • The phrase comes from Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice , Act 2, Scene 7.
  • In the play, the words appear in a verse inscribed in a golden casket that warns that appearances can be deceptive.
  • The more modern version “all that glitters is not gold” is a later adaptation of Shakespeare’s original “glisters.”

A tiny story angle

In The Merchant of Venice , suitors must choose between gold, silver, and lead caskets to win Portia’s hand.

The proud Prince of Morocco chooses the glittering gold casket, only to discover a mocking message and learn the hard way that shine does not equal worth.

All that glisters is not gold — a 400‑year‑old reminder that the brightest option is not always the best.

TL;DR: The writer you’re looking for is William Shakespeare.

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