The article goes to lengths to explain the saying, without ever mentioning its source... and so I assume the author also doesn't realize the common saying is a misquote. The actual quote makes a LOT more sense:
Shakespeare's King John, Act II (SALISBURY):
...To gild refined gold, to paint the lily,
...Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.
Gild all the lilies you want; artificial flowers have resale value.
Shakespeare's King John, Act II (SALISBURY): ...To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, ...Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.
Gild all the lilies you want; artificial flowers have resale value.
But gold-plating gold? Yeah, that's just stupid.