# salt of the earth

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/salt-of-the-earth
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A person or group of people considered to represent the most decent and admirable parts of humanity.

## Examples

- My neighbor is the salt of the earth.
- She always helps anyone in need, so everyone in town agrees she is the salt of the earth.
- Despite his immense wealth and influence, he remained humble and kind, proving himself to be the salt of the earth to all who knew him.

## Origin

A calque of the Ancient Greek phrase τὸ ἅλας τῆς γῆς (tò hálas tês gês), appearing in the Book of Matthew, chapter 5, verse 13.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.