The best things in life are free
Meaning: The most valuable experiences don't cost money.
Origin: From the song "The Best Things in Life Are Free," written by Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown and Ray Henderson for the Broadway musical Good News (1927). The song points to the moon, the stars and love as things that belong to everyone. The idea is ancient, but this Jazz Age wording is the one that became a proverb.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, and Japanese
- French: Les meilleures choses de la vie sont gratuites (literally: The best things in life are free)
- Spanish: Lo mejor de la vida es gratis (literally: The best in life is free)
- Japanese: 人生で最良のものは無料である (Jinsei de sairyō no mono wa muryō de aru) (literally: The best things in life are free)
More proverbs about Wisdom
- If it ain't broke, don't fix it — Don't change something that's working well.
- Money doesn't grow on trees — Money is hard to earn and should be spent wisely.
- When in Rome, do as the Romans do — Adapt to local customs when visiting a new place.
- Keep your friends close and your enemies closer — It's wise to monitor those who might harm you.
- Jack of all trades, master of none — Versatility can come at the cost of expertise.
- Haste makes waste — Rushing leads to mistakes and wasted effort.
From our idioms
- In bocca al lupo — Good luck! (replied with 'Crepi!' — may it die).
- Non tutte le ciambelle riescono col buco — Things don't always go as planned.
- Avere le braccine corte — To be stingy; to never reach for the check.