His goodness lies within him. خيره في جوفه

خيره في جوفه
أي إنك تحقره في المنظر وتأتيك أنباؤه بغير ذلك
يضرب لمن تزدريه وهو يجاذبك
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His goodness lies within him.
Meaning, you may despise him outwardly, but news of him will reveal otherwise. This proverb is used to describe someone you look down upon, yet he is actually engaging with you.
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المثل العربي «خَيْرُهُ في جَوْفِهِ» يُضرب لمن يبدو حقيرًا أو متواضعًا في مظهره، فيُزدَرَى ويُستخف به، ثم يظهر أن فيه فضلًا أو قدرةً أو حكمةً لم تكن ظاهرة.
ومن أقرب المقابلات في الثقافة الإنجليزية: Still waters run deep.
«المياه الهادئة عميقة.»
وهو أشهر مثل إنجليزي في هذا المعنى، ويُضرب لمن يبدو هادئًا أو بسيطًا بينما يملك عمقًا أو قدرات خفية.
Don't judge a book by its cover.
«لا تحكم على الكتاب من غلافه.»
أي لا تغتر بالمظاهر.
Appearances can be deceiving.
«المظاهر قد تكون خادعة.»
There is more to him than meets the eye.
«فيه أكثر مما تراه العين.»
وأقرب مقابل للمثل العربي «خيره في جوفه» هو:
Still waters run deep.
إذا كان المقصود أن الرجل يخفي فضله وعمقه وراء مظهر متواضع.
أما إذا كان التركيز على عدم الاغترار بالمظهر، فالمقابل الأنسب هو:
Don't judge a book by its cover.
«لا تحكم على الكتاب من غلافه.»
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The Arabic proverb “His goodness lies within him” is used to describe someone who appears insignificant or humble in appearance, leading to scorn and contempt, only to later reveal hidden virtues, abilities, or wisdom.
A similar proverb in English is:
“Still waters run deep.”
This is a well-known English proverb with this meaning, used to describe someone who appears calm or unassuming but possesses hidden depths or abilities.
“Don't judge a book by its cover.”
“Don't judge a book by its cover.”
That is, don't be deceived by appearances.
“Appearances can be deceiving.”
“There is more to him than meets the eye.”
“He has more to him than meets the eye.”
The closest equivalent to the Arabic proverb “His goodness lies within him” is:
“Still waters run deep.”
If the intention is that the man hides his merit and depth behind a humble appearance.
But if the focus is on not being deceived by appearances, then the more appropriate equivalent is:

Don't judge a book by its cover.

“Don't judge a book by its cover.”

Time is a silent, submissive force. الدَّهْرُ أَطْرَقُ مُسْتَتِبُّ.

Meaning, it is silent, submissive, and yielding. Bashar ibn Burd said:
A year, let not tomorrow deceive you... a year, for time is silent and forgiving.
Catch the one with malice in his moment of weakness... and when a she-camel gives milk, milk her.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The proverb "Time is silent and still" means that time may appear calm, still, and stable, but it works its magic quietly, waiting and turning a blind eye until the opportunity arises. It refers to the apparent tranquility and the continuation of events without fanfare.
There is no English proverb that perfectly matches it, but the closest equivalents are:
"Still waters run deep."
— That is, apparent stillness may conceal an underlying influence or force, and this proverb is closest in spirit to the Arabic proverb.
"Time works in silence."
— A direct, non-traditional expression.
"Time quietly takes its course."
"Time will tell."
Therefore, the best English equivalent is:
"Still waters run deep."
If the intention is to emphasize that time moves quietly and steadily, the most appropriate expression is:
Time quietly takes its course.
That is, time proceeds in its course calmly and continuously, until it reaches its end.
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أي مُطْرِق مُغْضٍ منقاد، قال بشار ابن بُرْد:
عَامِ لا يَغْرُرْكَ يَوْمٌ من غدٍ ... عامِ إِنَّ الدَّهْرَ يُغْضِي وَيَهبْ
صَادِ ذَا الضِّغْنِ إلى غِرَّتِهِ ... وَإِذَا دَرَّتْ لَبُونٌ فَاحْتَلِبْ