文学城论坛
+A-

APAD:Variety is the spice of life

移花接木 2025-12-28 09:31:37 ( reads)

"Variety is the spice of life" is a common English proverb and idiom suggesting that new experiences, diversity, and change make life more interesting, exciting, and fulfilling. 

The exact phrase was coined by the English poet William Cowper(1785) in his poem The Task. The original line reads: "Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour".

In history the sentiment predates the 18th century. In 1681, playwright Aphra Behn wrote "Variety is the soul of pleasure," and ancient Greek dramatist Euripides noted that "a change is always nice" in the 5th century BC.

The expression functions as a metaphor, comparing the excitement of life to the seasoning in food. Just as spices turn a bland meal into something delicious, diverse experiences prevent life from becoming "tasteless" or monotonous. 


It is commonly used in various contexts:

-Personal Growth: Encouraging someone to step out of their comfort zone or try a new hobby.
-Travel and Exploration: To explain the desire for visiting new countries or trying different cuisines.
-Workplace/Learning: To emphasize the value of diverse skills and perspectives to fuel innovation.
-Relationships: Sometimes used to justify or explain changes in social circles or dating life. 

跟帖(15)

最西边的岛上

2025-12-28 09:45:02

hmm, shouldn't the title b "Variety is the spice of life"?~~

最西边的岛上

2025-12-28 09:48:48

If so, agreed: more spice the better, in food & life! ;-)

移花接木

2025-12-28 09:53:47

oooooooooooooooooooooooops

最西边的岛上

2025-12-28 09:58:31

We r only human,forgive&forget, &Virtue is its own reward:-)

天边一片白云

2025-12-28 10:39:04

It is so true in cooking. I like different color, shape and

天边一片白云

2025-12-28 10:39:33

taste. I like trying different things.

最西边的岛上

2025-12-28 10:50:48

Me 2, me 2! Shake cook’s hands, thou I ain’t as artistic

最西边的岛上

2025-12-28 10:51:05

as you :-)

7grizzly

2025-12-28 10:44:53

Meanwhile, consistency beats intensity every time.

最西边的岛上

2025-12-28 10:54:40

Agreed 2 certain degree;-) My 包子’s always very tasty but

最西边的岛上

2025-12-28 10:56:15

failed 1 time when had friends over. Praying they forgive me

天边一片白云

2025-12-28 14:09:27

As long as tasty, it is fine. 我不太会包包子。移花的包子太漂亮了。望尘莫及。

最西边的岛上

2025-12-28 14:23:44

Don't remember 移花 posted it here? 我那次失败是煎包子忘了关火,包子都糊了只好切掉底儿,

最西边的岛上

2025-12-28 14:25:18

给朋友吃了没有底儿的包子(真不好意思:-)

最西边的岛上

2025-12-28 16:16:35

(Found 移花包子, not in主帖 but in reply I missed。比我包的漂亮多了,我甘拜下风!)