A rising tide lifts all boats
Meaning: General improvements benefit everyone.
Origin: Made famous by John F. Kennedy, who used it in 1963 to argue that economic growth benefits everyone. His speechwriter Ted Sorensen said Kennedy borrowed it from the slogan of a New England regional chamber of commerce.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, and Japanese
- French: La marée montante soulève tous les bateaux (literally: The rising tide lifts all boats)
- Spanish: La marea alta levanta todos los barcos (literally: The high tide lifts all boats)
- Japanese: 好景気は皆に恩恵をもたらす (Kōkeiki wa mina ni onkei wo motarasu) (literally: Good times bring benefits to all)
More proverbs about Communication
- A chain is only as strong as its weakest link — A group's effectiveness is limited by its weakest member.
- Silence speaks volumes — What is not said can be more meaningful than what is.
- There's no such thing as bad publicity — Any attention, even negative, can be beneficial.
- Many hands make light work — Tasks are easier when shared among many people.
- What you see is what you get — There's nothing hidden or disguised.
- The customer is always right — In business, the customer's satisfaction takes priority.
From our idioms
- على قد لحافك مد رجليك (ʿalā qadd liḥāfik midd rijlayk) — Live within your means.
- Matar a cobra e mostrar o pau — To prove you actually did what you claim.
- Casser les pieds à quelqu'un — To annoy or bore someone greatly.