Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. - Proverbs 11:22

I came across this proverb in my daily reading this morning. It’s one of my favorites because it says so much in so few words. It has been said that a picture paints a thousand words, and this proverb paints a brilliant word picture.

Have you ever wondered why our supermarkets are full of magazines that tout the adventures of the likes of Brittney Spears and Lindsey Lohan? Why are we so concerned with the size of Jessica Simpson’s pants? Its because we are enamored with outward appearances.

But this proverb points out that no matter how well we dress up foul character, in the end it is the character that shows through. A pig, no matter how well adorned, is still a pig.

By no means is this proverb reserved for women, either. The man who sacrifices his honor and integrity for the promotion is no less ugly.

In the end, God sees beauty from the inside out. We do well to look for it in the same way.