This proverb is used to describe a person who refrains from committing a bad action but is known to have malicious intentions. In other words, this person appears to behave better than before, but fundamentally, their nature remains unchanged, and they remain just as wicked. This proverb reminds us that appearances can be deceptive, and we should always be cautious of those who might be hiding their true nature. Equivalent proverb in English: ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’