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The meaning and origin of the expression: Man does not live by bread alone

Man does not live by bread alone

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What's the meaning of the phrase 'Man does not live by bread alone'?

Physical nourishment is not sufficient for a healthy life; man also has spiritual needs.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Man does not live by bread alone'?

From the Bible, Deuteronomy 8: 2-3 (King James Version):

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

also in Matthew 4:4:

But he answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

and Luke 4:4:

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

See also: the List of Proverbs.

Gary Martin - the author of the phrases.org.uk website.

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

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