Salt of the Earth

[gallatin]

Where did the phrase "salt of the earth" originate?

[lovelylad]

In the Gospel of St Matthew, 5:13, Christ tells his disciples that they are 'the salt of the earth', meaning that they are the elect and most most worthy or honest members of humanity. How this has come to be synonymous with the working class is up for grabs, unless your understanding of class politics is such that only the proletariat has any inherent decency, etc. etc....