a house divided against itself cannot stand

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

With reference to Matthew 12:25, Mark 3:25.

Proverb

a house divided against itself cannot stand

  1. A group or organisation weakened by internal dissent will not remain united.
    • 1655, William Lyford, The Plain Mans Senses:
      Thirdly, sometimes by setting and fomenting divisions among Christians, Preacher against Preacher, Church against Church, well knowing, that a house divided against it selfe cannot stand.
    • 1858, Abraham Lincoln, speech, 16 Jun 1858:
      ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free.
    • 2002, HA Williams, The True Wilderness:
      If good is done, then there is the spirit of God and not the spirit of evil, for a house divided against itself cannot stand.

See also
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