a house divided against itself cannot stand
The phrase "a house divided against itself cannot stand" means that any group, family, or nation with deep internal fights will fail. Most users on Quora agree that the quote comes from the Bible and was made famous by Abraham Lincoln.Biblical OriginJesus Christ spoke these words in the New
Testament (found in Matthew 12:25, Mark 3:25, and Luke 11:17).The meaning was that a kingdom or group fighting itself falls apart instead of lasting.Historical Use by Abraham LincolnThe date was June 16, 1858.The event was a speech in Springfield, Illinois, where Abraham Lincoln accepted the nomination for U.S. Senator.The message was that the United States could not survive permanently half slave and half free.If you want to know more, let me know if you prefer details about the Bible verses or the American Civil War historyThe famous phrase "a house divided against itself cannot stand" is spoken by Jesus Christ in the New Testament. It appears in three of the gospels: Mark 3:25, Matthew 12:25, and Luke 11:17.Bible VersesMark 3:25 (KJV): "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand."Matthew 12:25 (NIV): "Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.'"Luke 11:17 (ESV): "But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls.'"Meaning and ContextThe Context: Religious leaders accused Jesus of casting out demons using the power of Satan (Beelzebub).Jesus's Logic: Jesus replied that it makes no sense for Satan to fight against himself. If Satan attacks his own workers, his kingdom will fall apart instead of standing.The Lesson: Any group, family, or nation with deep internal fights will break apart and fail. Unity is required to survive and grow.