Who wrote the quote never judge a book by its covers?

The exact phrase "Never judge a book by its cover" doesn't appear in any known literary work. However, the sentiment is very old and has been expressed in various forms throughout history.

Here are some possible origins:

* Proverbs: Many proverbs convey a similar message, such as "Appearances are deceiving" or "Don't judge a book by its binding."

* Shakespeare: Some attribute the idea to Shakespeare, as the quote "The apparel oft proclaims the man" from his play "Hamlet" touches on the theme of judging based on outward appearances.

* Unknown origin: It's possible the saying evolved organically in common speech over time, making it difficult to pinpoint a single author.

While the specific phrase might not have a single origin, the idea of not judging solely based on appearances is widely recognized and used.