proverb · Words worth keeping
A house divided amongst itself cannot stand.
A house divided amongst itself cannot stand.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying pictures a divided house as unable to stand. It connects internal conflict with loss of stability in a shared arrangement.
What the words are saying
The house makes cooperation a supporting structure. A qualified application can discuss a group undermining its own agreed work, while recognising that disagreement may reveal a needed change. Unity is not valuable merely because it suppresses objections, and the phrase does not prove all divisions cause collapse.
Everyday example
A group resolves conflicting instructions so members can work toward an understood purpose.
When to use it
Use it to discuss conflict that undermines shared work.
What it does not mean
Agreement should not be imposed by suppressing legitimate concerns or dissent.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 108; PDF page 19
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.