Cleanliness is next to Godliness.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness.
Meaning in plain English
The saying places cleanliness next to godliness. It gives being clean a moral or religious association.
Example
A reader recognises the moral association without judging someone’s character from appearance alone.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Next to expresses esteem rather than proving that physical cleanliness reveals spiritual worth. A critical reading separates a valued practice from judgment of people’s access to resources or circumstances. The phrase supplies neither a medical rule nor a verified religious origin.
When to use it
Use it to examine an association between cleanliness and virtue critically.
Keep in mind
Cleanliness does not establish moral worth or a universal religious requirement.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 738; PDF page 106
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Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
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