Meaning
'Goat deh sweat but long hair cova it' — the goat is sweating, but its long hair hides it. People often conceal their troubles and struggles behind a calm, untroubled appearance, the proverb observes: someone may be suffering greatly while nothing shows on the outside, their hardship covered over like the goat's sweat beneath its shaggy coat. It is a reminder not to assume all is well from a person's composed surface, since much pain and worry are carried out of sight.
Examples
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She a smile but she a struggle; goat deh sweat but long hair cova it.
She's smiling but she's struggling; people hide their troubles behind appearances.
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Yuh never know weh a gwaan wid people — goat deh sweat but long hair cova it.
You never know what people are going through — the goat sweats but its long hair covers it.
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Him look fine but him a bear plenty; goat deh sweat but long hair cova it.
He looks fine but he's carrying a lot; the struggle is hidden from view.
Origin
An animal image: a goat's long coat hides the sweat of its exertion, so its struggle goes unseen — a figure for hidden hardship behind a composed exterior.
How it’s used
A reminder not to judge by appearances, since people conceal their struggles.