The root of all evil
Meaning
The fundamental cause or primary source from which all bad things, problems, or suffering originate.
Origin
This profound phrase springs directly from the pages of the New Testament, specifically 1 Timothy 6:10. The original Greek text declared, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." When the King James Bible was published in 1611, it famously translated this as, "For the love of money is the root of all evil." While the original scripture specifically condemns avarice, common usage often drops the introductory "the love of money is," allowing the phrase to be applied more broadly to anything perceived as the ultimate cause of misfortune or wickedness. The powerful imagery of an underlying source for all woes has kept this biblical warning deeply embedded in our language and ethical discussions.
Examples
- Many philosophers have debated whether greed or ignorance is truly the root of all evil in human society.
- She argued that a lack of genuine communication, rather than differing opinions, was the root of all evil in their fractured relationship.