The root of all evil
The root of all evil means the basic cause of wrongdoing or serious trouble, often understood as money or greed. It appears in the Bible, in 1 Timothy 6:10, where the warning concerns love of money rather than money itself.
Where it comes from
The biblical warning
The phrase appears in 1 Timothy 6:10. The passage warns that craving wealth can lead people away from faith and bring them sorrow.
In the Bible, the writer urges Timothy to resist the desire to become rich and instead pursue goodness, faith, and patience.
In The Bible by Various authors
What it means now
Today, the phrase can name whatever someone sees as the main source of trouble. When applied to money, it often loses the original distinction between wealth and loving wealth.
In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge's attachment to wealth helps destroy his relationship with Belle. His concern for gain pushes affection aside.
In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
How to use The root of all evil
- Name the cause you think lies beneath the trouble.
- Use the phrase for strong emphasis, not a minor annoyance.
- Distinguish money from the love of money when discussing the biblical warning.
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Does the phrase mean that money is evil?
No, the biblical passage warns about loving money, not simply having it. In the Bible, the surrounding advice focuses on the dangers of craving riches. The familiar shortened phrase can hide that important distinction.
Can the phrase refer to something other than money?
Yes, it can describe anything presented as the underlying cause of serious trouble. Someone might apply it to envy, dishonesty, or unchecked ambition. This is a broader everyday use, rather than a precise account of the biblical passage.
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