Home › Proverbs

There's no such thing as a free lunch

Meaning: Everything has a hidden cost.

Origin: American proverb popularized by economist Milton Friedman in the 1970s.

Translations

  • French: Rien n'est gratuit dans la vie (literally: Nothing is free in life)
  • Spanish: Nadie da duros a cuatro pesetas (literally: Nobody gives duros for four pesetas)
  • Japanese: ただより高いものはない (Tada yori takai mono wa nai) (literally: Nothing is more expensive than free)

More proverbs about Wisdom

  • Hope for the best, prepare for the worst — Optimism should be balanced with practical preparation.
  • Don't make a mountain out of a molehill — Don't exaggerate small problems.
  • The grass withers, but the flower fades — All worldly things are temporary.
  • First come, first served — Opportunities go to those who arrive early.
  • A fool and his money are soon parted — Foolish people quickly lose their wealth.
  • The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the second best time is now — The right time to act is always now, no matter how late it feels.

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…