Explore English traditional proverbsReviewed 2026-10-01
Sense: Verified- Meaning and lesson
Contentment can do what the legendary philosopher’s stone promised: make a person feel rich without changing what they own.
The proverb places satisfaction above the pursuit of greater wealth, suggesting that a change in outlook may be more valuable than a change in fortune.
- When it is used
Use it when someone is weighing the desire for more against the possibility of being satisfied with enough. It can offer perspective, but may sound dismissive if directed at someone facing genuine hardship.
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Content is the true philosopher's stone.