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QuotesFromBible

Not in the Bible

6 phrases commonly attributed to the Bible that do not appear there in any form. Each entry shows the actual origin and what the Bible does say on the same theme.

Cleanliness is next to godliness

John Wesley's sermon 'On Dress' (1791). Not in the Bible.

Not in the Bible
John Wesley, sermon 'On Dress' (1791): 'Slovenliness is no part of religion. Cleanliness is, indeed, next to godliness.' Wesley himself attributes the form of the saying to ancient Hebrew tradition, but the phrase does not appear in the Bible.

God helps those who help themselves

Benjamin Franklin wrote it in Poor Richard's Almanack in 1736. It is not in the Bible.

Not in the Bible
Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government (1698). Popularised in America by Benjamin Franklin in Poor Richard's Almanack (1736).

Hate the sin, love the sinner

Augustine wrote 'with love for mankind and hatred of vices' (c. 424 AD). Gandhi popularised the modern English wording. Not in the Bible.

Not in the Bible
Augustine of Hippo, Letter 211 (c. 424 AD): 'cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum' ('with love for mankind and hatred of vices'). Mahatma Gandhi popularised the modern English wording in his 1929 autobiography. The phrase does not appear in the Bible.

Spare the rod, spoil the child

From Samuel Butler's satirical poem 'Hudibras' (1664). Not in the Bible — though Proverbs 13:24 uses related wording.

Not in the Bible
Samuel Butler, 'Hudibras' (Part II, Canto I, 1664). The phrase appears in a satirical poem, not in the Bible. The biblical Proverbs contain a separate verse on discipline (Proverbs 13:24) that uses the word 'rod' but with different wording.

The Lord works in mysterious ways

From William Cowper's 1773 hymn 'Light Shining Out of Darkness.' Not in the Bible.

Not in the Bible
William Cowper's hymn 'Light Shining Out of Darkness' (1773), which opens 'God moves in a mysterious way / His wonders to perform.' The phrase does not appear in the Bible.

This too shall pass

A Persian fable, popularised in English by Edward FitzGerald (1852) and Abraham Lincoln (1859). Not in the Bible.

Not in the Bible
A Persian-language adage retold by medieval Sufi poets, popularised in English by Edward FitzGerald (1852) and President Abraham Lincoln (1859). It is not in the Bible.