Heart of gold
A heart of gold means a deeply kind and generous nature, sometimes hidden beneath a rough manner. The phrase appears in Shakespeare’s Henry V, where Pistol uses it to praise the king without knowing that he is speaking to Henry himself.
Where it comes from
Pistol praises the king
The phrase appears in Shakespeare’s play as warm praise for someone’s character. Gold suggests something precious and worthy.
In Henry V, Henry walks among his soldiers in disguise before the battle of Agincourt. Pistol speaks warmly about the king, unaware that the stranger listening is Henry.
In Henry V by William Shakespeare
Kindness shown through actions
Today, the phrase praises someone who genuinely cares for others. It can also suggest that an awkward or rough exterior hides a generous nature.
In Great Expectations, Joe nurses Pip through illness and pays his debts, despite Pip’s earlier shame about him. His quiet care shows the kindness that the phrase describes.
In Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
How to use heart of gold
- Use it to praise genuine kindness or generosity.
- Support the description with a caring action.
- Keep it for character, not wealth or appearance.
Does a heart of gold mean someone is rich?
No, it means someone is kind and generous, not wealthy. Gold stands for the value of their character. A person with very little money can have a heart of gold through patience, care, and practical help.
Can someone with a heart of gold still be gruff or quick-tempered?
A person can have a heart of gold and still be gruff, awkward or quick-tempered. The phrase often points to kindness beneath an unwelcoming manner, though it does not excuse hurtful behaviour.
Related terms
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