The quote “one man's toxic sludge is another man's potpourri” is from the 2000 live-action film "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". The Grinch says this line while going through "Whos" garbage for ideas to decorate his home.
The green, fury, and ill-tempered fictional character Grinch is known for his hatred of Christmas. He thinks that Christmas is all about the gifts, decorations and food. He steals all these things from the Whos (people living in Whoville) and is surprised to find that they still sing and smile. Grinch then learns that Christmas spirit is more than the things that can be bought and is something inside everyone. His heart grows three sizes after he learns the true meaning of Christmas and returns the presents he stole.
- online source (with editing)
I chose the quote because I saw the classic children's book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" by Dr. Seuss in a bookstore yesterday (see pic below), and it reminded me of the movie based on the book.
Similar idioms (from online sources) are:
“One man's poison is another man's medicine” which conveys the idea that what is harmful or undesirable to one person may be beneficial or valuable to another. "One man's meat is another man's poison" which means what is good for one person may be bad for another.
These phrases highlight the subjective nature of preferences and experiences, suggesting that perceptions of good and bad can vary greatly among individuals based on their circumstances, needs, or perspectives.
My simplified conclusion: the world is complex and people are complex, and that is what makes life interesting.
I'm no Santa, but Happy holidays to you and your families! Ho Ho Ho
