Biblical Sources of Phrases in Common Use: Time Heals All Wounds

Although "Time heals all wounds" sounds as if it might be of biblical origin, it is not. It is probably from Geoffrey Chaucer (1304? - 1400), "As tyme hem hurt, a tyme doth hem cure." (Modern English paraphrase: As time causes hurt, time heals) or, more likely, Menander (342 BC/BCE - 291 BC/BCE), in Fragments dclxxvii, "ράνṯων ἰαṯρὸς ṯῷν ἀναγκαίων κακῷν χρόνος ἐσṯίν" Translation: "Time is the healer of all necessary evils."

Biblical Sources of Phrases in Common Use: A Fool and His Money Are Soon Parted

This phrase, "A fool and his money are soon parted," sounds biblical, but it is not.  A man named Thomas Tusser (1524 - 1580) wrote it in 1573 in his book, Five Hundreth Pointes of Good Husbandrie.  The original phrase was a line in a poem.  "A foole and his monie be soone to debate, which after with sorrow repents him too late."

Tusser was an English poet, farmer, chorister, and musician.

The idea that this is a phrase of biblical origin probably comes from Proverbs 21:20 where the wise store up their wealth but the fools gulp theirs down. (NIV)

Biblical Sources of Phrases in Common Use: Money is the Root of All Evil

"Money is the root of all evil." Actually that's not what the Bible said.  Read it again.

This phrase is one of the often misquoted Bible phrases which have entered into common usage.

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:10


The love of money is actually a love of self, because money can give power to the self.  Money itself is just a tool, which can be used for good or for evil.

Biblical Sources of Phrases in Common Use: A Fly in the Ointment

A "fly in the ointment" is an inconvenient fact which can ruin or taint an otherwise positive situation; like finding half a worm in the apple you are eating.  Think of your dismay at discovering that the wonderful philanthropic projects of a local businessman were funded by deceit and illegal financial dealings on his part.  The "fly in the ointment" would be the source of the money; should you refuse it and send it back?

Think of the respected and powerful preacher whose ministry is ruined when he is exposed as a marital cheater.  The "fly in the ointment" is the sexual infidelity.


"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: [so doth] a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom [and] honour." Ecclesiastes 10:1