English Explanatory Dictionary

God helps those who help themselves

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb
  1. Good fortune or providential aid comes to those who make an effort to accomplish things.

Word forms

God helps those who help themselves God helps them that help themselves heaven helps those who help themselves the Lord helps those who help themselves

Etymology

First appearing in English (in this form) in 1698, in Algernon Sidney's Discourses Concerning Government. Translation of a maxim found in Ancient Greek and Roman literature; equivalent proverbs are found in many languages, such as Hungarian and Italian.

Related words

God works in mysterious ways God loves a trier God hates a coward
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