A house divided against itself cannot stand
Meaning: Internal conflict destroys an organization from within; unity is essential for survival.
Origin: Jesus' words in Mark 3:25, answering the charge that he cast out demons by the power of Satan: "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." Abraham Lincoln built his 1858 "House Divided" speech on it, warning that the nation could not endure permanently half slave and half free.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
- French: Une maison divisée contre elle-même ne peut pas tenir (literally: A house divided against itself cannot stand)
- Spanish: Una casa dividida contra sí misma no puede mantenerse en pie (literally: A house divided against itself cannot stand)
- Japanese: 内輪もめする家は滅びる (Uchiwa mome suru ie wa horobiru) (literally: A house of internal conflict will perish)
- German: Ein Haus, das mit sich selbst uneins ist, kann nicht bestehen (literally: A house that is at odds with itself cannot endure)
More proverbs about Morality
- Judge not, lest ye be judged — We should refrain from judging others because we ourselves are imperfect.
- If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your own path — Helping others ultimately benefits yourself as well.
- There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience — Peace of mind and restful sleep come only from living and acting honorably.
- The more laws, the less justice — Excessive rules and regulations can undermine rather than promote fairness.
- Know thyself — Self-knowledge and self-awareness are the foundation of all wisdom and right living.
- Waste not, want not — Using things carefully and avoiding waste prevents future need and scarcity.
From our idioms
- get your ducks in a row — to organize yourself; to prepare systematically.
- in a pig's eye — absolutely not; never; expressing strong disagreement.
- stick your oar in — to interfere in someone else's affairs; to meddle.