“The best things in life are free” is the proverb that reminds us money can’t buy what matters most. Here is what it means, where it comes from, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its values.
What Does “The Best Things in Life Are Free” Mean?
The proverb means that the most valuable and joyful things in life — love, friendship, family, health, sunshine, laughter, the beauty of nature — cannot be bought with money. They cost nothing, yet they are worth more than any amount of wealth. It is a gentle reminder to look up from the pursuit of money and possessions and to treasure the simple pleasures that are freely available to everyone.
Origin of the Proverb
The idea is timeless, but the exact phrase was made famous by the popular song “The Best Things in Life Are Free,” written in 1927 by Buddy DeSylva, Lew Brown, and Ray Henderson for the Broadway musical Good News. Its cheerful message — that the moon, the stars, the flowers, and love all come without a price — caught the public imagination and turned the line into one of the best-loved sayings of the twentieth century.
Examples in a Sentence
- “We spent the whole day walking and talking on the beach — the best things in life are free.”
- “You don’t need a fortune to be happy; the best things in life are free.”
- “A hug from my child reminded me that the best things in life are free.”
Similar Proverbs
- Money can’t buy happiness — wealth cannot purchase true contentment.
- The best things in life are not things — what matters most is not material.
- Health is better than wealth — wellbeing is worth more than riches.
- A happy heart is better than a full purse — joy beats money.
For more sayings about happiness and money, see our money proverbs and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “the best things in life are free” mean?
It means that the most valuable things — love, friendship, health, nature, and laughter — cannot be bought with money and are freely available to all.
Where does the proverb come from?
The phrase was made famous by the 1927 song “The Best Things in Life Are Free,” written by DeSylva, Brown, and Henderson for the musical Good News.
What is a similar proverb?
“Money can’t buy happiness” and “health is better than wealth” share the same belief that the things that matter most are not material.
