Business is the salt of life.
Meaning: Commerce and productive work preserve society's vitality, preventing the staleness and decay of idle existence.
Origin: Recorded in A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, an undated collection published in London by Whittaker & Co. around 1880 and credited to Thomas Preston. Its earlier history hasn't been traced.
More proverbs about Morality
- A bad bush is better than the open field. — Imperfect shelter still protects you better than standing completely exposed to danger.
- A child may have too much of his mother's blessing. — Excessive maternal indulgence weakens a child's resilience and capacity for independent g…
- Tis the clerk makes the justice. — A skilled administrator or clerk can effectively shape legal outcomes through their knowl…
- A merry companion on the road is as good as a nag. — Good company during tedious travel makes the journey feel shorter and less burdensome.
- Cold of complexion, good of condition. — Temperamental coldness in personality often accompanies moral virtue and sound character.
- Open confession is good for the soul. — Acknowledging wrongdoing relieves the psychological burden of guilt and shame.
From our compliments & insults
- Без царя в голове (Bez tsarya v golove) — Foolish and reckless — with no one in charge upstairs.
- Cabeça de alho chocho — A forgetful scatterbrain whose thoughts won't stay put.
- Tu es mon rayon de soleil — A warm way to tell someone they brighten your day.