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Cleanliness, says the old proverb, "is next to godliness". This saying simply emphasises the great importance of cleanliness. But in practice, it has been interpreted differently, and made to mean that godliness can dispense with cleanliness. In the Middle Ages in Europe and some places and in India, godliness was associated with dirt. The old ascetic monk and the Indian Yogi were considered all the more holy for being . But true godliness surely means cleanliness of soul and body, and the old proverb should read, "Cleanliness is a part of godliness."
Cleanliness the body is necessary for physical health. Dirt and disease go together. Disease germs breed, thrive, and multiply in filth, and the epidemic that sweep over a country and carry off thousands are the results of its people's dreadful habits and surroundings. No one can stay who does not keep clean. Good health requires the regular washing of hands and face and frequent and thorough bathing of the whole and the wearing of clean clothes.
Cleanliness of the body is also necessary for self-respect. No one can expect to mix with a society if they are not clean and neat. It is an insult to respectable people to meet them with dirty faces and hands, soiled and evil-smelling clothes. A gentleman would feel ashamed if he could not keep himself scrupulously clean.
But even more important than the of the body is the cleanliness of the mind. To call a mind "clean" or "dirty" is metaphorical language. Just as light symbolises and goodness and darkness of ignorance and evil, so dirt is the symbol of moral evil and cleanliness of moral purity. Sin is , and in all religions, the sinner prays to God for cleansing. "Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow," the Psalmist cries, "Cleanse me from hidden faults." A man may be clean in his body, but if his mind is full of impure desires, dirty , and unclean imaginings, he is a dirty man, however much he may wash his skin. True cleanliness is not only next to, but part of true godliness.