when the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch
- when the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch
Now more common in the metaphorical phrase, the blind leading the blind. With allusion to MATTHEW xv. 14 (AV) Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
c 897 ALFRED Gregory’s Pastoral Care (EETS) i. Gif se blinda thone blindan lœt, he feallath begen [both] on œnne pytt.
c 1300 Body & Soul (1889) 49 Ac hwanne the blinde lat the blinde, In dike he fallen bothe two.
1583 B. MELBANCKE Philotimus 165 In the ditch falls the blind that is led by the blind.
1836 CARLYLE Sartor Resartus II. iii. It is written, When the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch... May it not sometimes be safer, if both leader and led simply—sit still?
1908 H. M. SYLVESTER Olde Pemaquid 12 If the blind lead the blind, the ditch is but a little way on.
1947 L. P. HARTLEY Eustace & Hilda xvi. To get Hilda out of the house was a step forward, even in a Bath chair..even if they could see nothing beyond their noses, the blind leading the blind.
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when the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into a ditch — ► when the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into a ditch proverb those people without knowledge or experience should not try to guide others in a similar position. Main Entry: ↑blind … English terms dictionary
blind — ► ADJECTIVE 1) lacking the power of sight; unable to see. 2) done without being able to see or without necessary information. 3) lacking perception, judgement, or reason. 4) concealed, closed, or blocked off. 5) (of flying) using instruments only … English terms dictionary
blind — adj Blind, sightless, purblind mean lacking or deficient in the power to see or to discriminate objects. Blind is used to imply absence or deprivation or gross restriction of the power of vision, either by congenital defect or as a result of… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
fall — noun see hasty climbers have sudden falls pride goes before a fall verb see fall down seven times, get up eight the apple never falls far from the tree between two stools one falls to the ground … Proverbs new dictionary
blind — see there’s none so blind as those who will not see when the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch a blind man’s wife needs no paint in the country of the blind, the one eyed man is king a deaf husband and a blind wife are always a … Proverbs new dictionary
lead — see if you are not the lead dog, the view never changes when the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch crosses are ladders that lead to heaven all roads lead to Rome … Proverbs new dictionary
ditch — see when the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch … Proverbs new dictionary
The Dunciad — Alexander Pope The Dunciad /ˈd … Wikipedia
blindly — blind ► ADJECTIVE 1) lacking the power of sight; unable to see. 2) done without being able to see or without necessary information. 3) lacking perception, judgement, or reason. 4) concealed, closed, or blocked off. 5) (of flying) using… … English terms dictionary
blindness — blind ► ADJECTIVE 1) lacking the power of sight; unable to see. 2) done without being able to see or without necessary information. 3) lacking perception, judgement, or reason. 4) concealed, closed, or blocked off. 5) (of flying) using… … English terms dictionary
