ALL is well with him who is beloved of his neighbors

Meaning & Analysis

A person who is loved and respected by those around him—his neighbors—lives in peace and contentment, enjoying social support and harmony.

Insights

Social Harmony as Wealth

The proverb suggests that mutual goodwill and community affection are forms of richness. Being well-regarded by one’s neighbors provides security, peace, and psychological well-being.

Interdependence and Belonging

Emphasizes the importance of mutual relationships and social cohesion. To be loved by neighbors is to be integrated and valued within a social network that offers both practical and emotional benefits.

Peace through Virtue

Implies that a harmonious life comes not through wealth or power, but through character and kindness—qualities that earn love and respect from the community.

Early Modern Communal Life

In early modern society, physical proximity and social cooperation were essential. One’s relationship with neighbors determined not only daily well-being but survival, making communal affection a precious resource.

Moral and Ethical Resonance

The proverb resonates with biblical and classical teachings about neighborliness—echoing ideas such as 'Love thy neighbor as thyself' and linking personal goodness with communal reward.

Psychological Safety

Modern psychology affirms the proverb’s wisdom: individuals embedded in supportive communities enjoy lower stress, better mental health, and a sense of meaning, underscoring how love and respect from others enhance quality of life.

Rhetorical Devices

Parallel Structure

The phrasing ‘All is well with him who is beloved...’ gives the proverb a calm, balanced cadence that mirrors the harmony it describes, reinforcing its emotional tone.

Epigrammatic Clarity

Its concise, complete form allows it to stand alone as a piece of folk wisdom—easily memorable and applicable across time and cultures.

Positive Assertion

Uses affirmative language to convey an ideal, which encourages aspiration toward communal harmony and virtuous behavior.

communityharmonyvirtueloveneighborlinesswellbeing
Analyzed with gpt-4o on July 10, 2025

Transcription

Quotations

He that hath neighbors loue liues well at home.

1611, COT., s.v. Voisin
1640, HERB., no. 10

(that is)

1659, N.R., p. 9

(Well is it with him)

1664, COD., p. 226

Original Scan

ALL is well with him who is beloved of his neighbors - a scanned entry from Tilley's 1950 Dictionary of Proverbs.
Scan courtesy of HathiTrust Digital Library.
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.

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Last updated: January 27, 2026