Paint stripes on a toad, he does not become a tiger.

The aphorism argues that superficial changes—cosmetic rebranding, borrowed symbols of power, or performative displays—cannot alter an underlying nature. A “toad” painted with “tiger” stripes may look more fearsome, but it remains what it is; the line thus targets self-deception and the credulity of observers who mistake appearance for essence. In Martin’s fictional worlds, where legitimacy, honor, and strength are often staged through titles, heraldry, and spectacle, the sentiment underscores a recurring theme: true capability or character is revealed by actions and inherent qualities, not by costume, rhetoric, or propaganda.