05:25 Oct 21, 2013
A house divided against itself cannot stand: The members of a group mustremain united if the group is to succeed or survive; sometimes used to warn against dissension: “‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free” (Speech by Abraham Lincoln, 1858). The proverb is of biblical origin: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand” (Matthew 12:25); “If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). Proverbs expressing similar meaning: divide and conquer; united we stand, divided we fall |