<P> The popular form of the expression is a derivative of a line in William Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice, which employs the word "glisters," a 17th - century synonym for "glitters ." The line comes from a secondary plot of the play, the puzzle of Portia's boxes (Act II - Scene VII - Prince of Morocco): </P> <P> All that glisters is not gold--Often have you heard that told . Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold . Gilded tombs do worms enfold . Had you been as wise as bold, Young in limbs, in judgment old, Your answer had not been inscrolled Fare you well . Your suit is cold--Cold, indeed, and labor lost . </P> <P> Panning for gold often results in finding pyrite, nicknamed fool's gold, which reflects substantially more light than authentic gold does . Gold in its raw form appears dull and does not glitter . The expression is also found in Yiddish (nit als vos glanst iz gold), especially amongst Hasidim, and also appears in a Hebrew work of Mendele Mocher Sforim . </P> <P> In pop culture, this phrase shows up in Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up". It is also used as lyrics in the song "A Guided Masquerade" by Alesana, in the song "Domino Rain" by Antemasque, in the song "Gold" by Prince, and in the Kanye West song, "Family Business". </P>

Shakespeare quote all that glitters is not gold