You cannot see wood for trees.

Meaning: Obsessive focus on individual details blinds one to the larger, more important overall picture.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

More proverbs about Wisdom

• At twelfth-day the days are lengthened a cock's stride. — Winter daylight gains imperceptibly after the new year, measurable only in tiny increment…
• One cannot be in two places at once. — Human limitations demand choosing priorities; attempting everything simultaneously guaran…
• The greatest number is made up of units. — Mighty achievements require attention to countless small details and contributions from m…
• Valour can do little without discretion. — Bravery without careful judgment leads to reckless harm rather than meaningful heroic ach…
• Valour that parleys is near yielding. — Hesitation to fight signals weakness; true courage acts decisively without negotiation or…
• Venture a small fish to catch a great one. — Small sacrifices or risks are worthwhile investments when they lead to substantially grea…

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…