Salt of the earth explained.

Since some might wonder how and why I choose “The salt of the earth” as the name of my blog, so a small explanation seemed to be the best solution to avoid questions, or maybe start a discussion…

In history “salt of the earth” has been referred to in several ways :

• The salt of the earth are the humble and unpretentious people. This is reflected in old phrases, for example, the aristocratic and powerful of the earth were 'above the salt' and valued workers were 'worth their salt'.

I like this reference a lot since it’s often the working class that creates the best things and have great ideas and values. We as Dutch people have a proverb that says: ‘Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg’. Translated in English it’s something like: ‘Act normal, that’s crazy enough’ I like this down-to-earth mentality. Just be happy with what you have and don’t strive for things that are out of reach, that only gets you frustrated.

• In history the most important use of salt was as a preservative and hence the most common interpretation of the metaphor is as asserting the duty to preserve the purity of the world. Exodus, Ezekiel, and Kings present salt as a purifying agent.

Pure , unsoiled, natural, true to their purpose, original, beauty and innocence are all words that pop up in my head when thinking about purity. To say we have ‘the duty to preserve the purity of the world’ is a bit too heavy for me, but knowing what we have and respecting people with certain moral and values is very important to me. I don’t like to label people or opinions, but it can piss me off when people don’t respect each other. Treat others as you would treat yourself and this world would be even better than it is today!

• In the Rabbinic literature salt was a metaphor for wisdom.

This is what the dictionary tells me about wisdom:
wis•dom
  ˈwɪz dəmShow Spelled[wiz-duh m]
–noun
1. the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.
2. scholarly knowledge or learning: the wisdom of the schools.
3. wise sayings or teachings; precepts.
4. a wise act or saying.
5. (initial capital letter ) Douay Bible. Wisdom of Solomon.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME, OE wīsdōm; c. ON vīsdōmr, G Weistum. See wise1, -dom

—Related forms
wis•dom•less, adjective

—Synonyms
1. sense, understanding. 2. sapience, erudition, enlightenment. See information.
—Antonyms
1. stupidity. 2. ignorance.

‘Non scholae sed vitae discimus pueri’ (We don't learn from school, but from life.) is a proverb my vato loco Michel Müller brought into my life. And I think it’s so true. Let’s all get a bit wiser every day! Remembers me of the good ol' days when living in Amsterdam and hanging around with my homeboys there. Little shout out to them: Blood in… Blood out Müllerman, bring in the ZOUTJES Jeroentje Brabant and Robbie just keep doing your thing!

• An ancient legend says that Odysseus faked madness by yoking a horse and an ox to his plow and sowing salt.

What is madness? Different people, different opinions… ‘Dulce es desipere in loco’ (It’s good to act crazy every now and then) is one of my personal favorite Latin proverbs, maybe because I’m pretty good in being crazy every now and then myself… Don’t become grey and depressed, color your life and enjoy the good things it brings and if acting a bit crazy gets you there, why not?!

• A metaphor at Matthew 5:13 that occurs in the Sermon on the Mount according to the New Testament:

Matthew 5:13–16:
"You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its flavour be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven."

I have absolutely nothing with religion, brought us some big books and fanatic followers, but it’s not my cup of tea. Believe in yourself, that’s hard enough sometime. I don’t want strict guidelines on how to organize my life. For me life is a journey that has to be explored with an open mind, no prejudice, just dive in and enjoy.

• "Salt of the Earth" (song), the closing track to The Rolling Stones' 1968 album, Beggars Banquet.

The Stones just are the shizzle, years after releasing their first songs it still is nice to listen to them. Mick rock on you bloody wanker!

• Salt of the Earth, an album by Ricky Skaggs and The Whites

• Salt of the Earth (Texas In July EP), the debut digital-[EP by metalcore band Texas In July

• Salt of the Earth, (1954 film)

• Leviticus, Numbers, and Chronicles present it as a sign of God's covenant.

• Salting the earth, the ritual of spreading salt on defeated cities.

Turns out my first blog became some sort of a lecture about salt… Don’t worry I don’t want to teach you anything, just wanted to give you a little look inside my head and how I came to the name of my blog. Hope you enjoyed reading. More to come...

From Tunisia with love and don’t forget to enjoy!