С-476

СОЛЬ ЗЕМЛИ lit NP sing only usu. subj-compl with copula, nom or instrum (subj: human or collect, sing or pi) or obj-compl with считать etc obj: human or collect, sing or pi) fixed WO

a person or group of people whose character, moral qualities etc are considered to be extremely upstanding, worthy

the best, most valuable part of society: the salt of the earth.

Комсомольцы (в двадцатые годы) ещё чувствовали себя солью земли, но сознавали, что следует подсолониться культурой (Мандельштам 2). At that time (in the twenties) its (the Komsomol's) members still thought themselves the salt of the earth, though they recognized the need to pick up a smattering of "culture" (2a).

From the Bible (Matt. 5:13).