Nothing new under the sun.
Nihil novi sub sole.
Meaning and origin
This proverb means that everything that happens or exists has already happened or existed before. It suggests that there is nothing truly original or new in the world.
The origin of this proverb can be traced back to the Bible, specifically the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. In Ecclesiastes 1:9, it is written: "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." This verse reflects the idea that human experiences and the natural world are cyclical and repetitive, with nothing truly new or novel occurring. Over time, this sentiment has been distilled into the popular proverb "Nothing new under the sun."
Related proverbs
Similar proverbs in another language
Latin
- Nihil novi sub sole. There is nothing new under the sun.
French
- Il n'y a rien de nouveau sous le soleil. There's nothing new under the sun.
German
- Es geschieht nichts neues unter der Sonne. Nothing new is happening under the sun.
Czech
- Nic nového pod sluncem. Nothing new under the sun.