a man is a man no matter how poor; a man's worth isn't in his appearance
Proverb meaning that a man's true worth or character is not diminished by poverty or humble circumstances. The literal image is of a man with his hair tied with straw (a sign of poverty) who is still a man.
A man is a man even if his hair is tied with straw. You shouldn't judge people by their appearance.
A traditional Japanese proverb. The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects the idea that a person's inherent worth is not determined by outward circumstances.