Salt of the earth

Meaning

A person with solid moral character.

Usage

Praise for dependable people.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Biblical reference to salt as a preservative and symbol of purity.

From the Sermon on the Mount and widely used in English parlance.