all is grist that comes to the mill

all is grist that comes to the mill

proverb All that one experiences, encounters, or obtains in life can be put to good use. Said especially of things that initially seem undesirable or harmful. A: "The tabloids found out that you've been in rehab. How do you plan on handling it?" B: "I'm a changed man now, and that's what I'll tell the media. In any case, at least they're writing about me again. All is grist that comes to the mill, eh?"
See also: all, come, grist, mill, that
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • desperate times call for desperate measures
  • desperate times require desperate measures
  • drastic
  • drastic times call for drastic measures
  • drastic times require drastic measures
  • require
  • teach a man to fish
  • village
  • it takes a village
  • actions speak louder than words