man or character?

[beeja]

Hi,

1) It quotes:

There are many counterfeits of character, but the genuine article is difficult to be mistaken. Some, knowing its money value, would assume its disguise for the purpose of imposing among the unwary.

Do you think it's talking about a man or a character of a man (habit)?

2) The old-fashioned turns of phrase and unquestioning morality represent the cover by which we should not judge the book.

"represent the cover" means "display on the cover" or...???

Thank you.

[Francois]

'to judge a book by its cover' means to make a superficial evaluation of something (the book may be good or bad whatever its cover, right?).
Thus, one should not go on the mentioned traits to jump to conclusions.

FRC

[Casiopea]

1) There are many counterfeits of character, but the genuine article (i.e. character) is difficult to be mistaken. Some (i.e. people), knowing its money value, would assume its disguise for the purpose of imposing among the unwary.

2) The old-fashioned turns of phrase and unquestioning morality represent the cover (i.e. jacket cover) by which we should not judge the book.

Books have jacket covers; they can be removed and changed.

All the best,