The phrase "leaving no stone unturned"

[jeff]

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Oh, as I am able to recall, the story about "no stones unturned!"

I recently learned that the original builders of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, originally placed sheets of gold between the stones in the temple walls, to function like a kind of stabilizer, resisting movement between the stones, sort of a kind of "cement." Gold will not rust or corrode naturally, making it a very good choice for use as a construction material in a very particular application.

So, there was a lot of gold between those stones in the temple. The people destined to destroy the actual temple were most likely after the gold. That would seem to be sufficent motivation to tear down every single stone in the place.

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Forgiveness is next to deity.

[scarygirl67]

I had not heard that version..the one I heard about was in Greek mythology, although it does also have to do with buried treasure. Supposedly a general had buried treasure upon his defeat in a battle, and when the Oracle of Delphi was consulted as to how to find it, the soldiers were told to leave 'no stone unturned'. Which of course leads us to what it means today, which is to exhaust every possible resource when trying to find or obtain something.

[jeff]

scarygirl67,

Thanks for the feedback. I only learned recently about the Jewish Temple. My father is quite the scholar of the Bible and other world religions. I don't know much about Greek Mythology, but it is still interesting. Thanks!