Blind leading the blind
Meaning
A situation where inexperienced or ignorant people attempt to guide others who are equally or more clueless, often resulting in collective failure.
Origin
This vividly illustrative phrase originates directly from a stark warning delivered in the biblical New Testament. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus criticizes the spiritual guidance of certain religious leaders, proclaiming, 'If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.' This powerful metaphor painted an immediate, unsettling picture of the inevitable disaster when those lacking true wisdom attempt to lead others equally lost. The phrase rapidly transcended its religious origins, becoming a universal and enduring idiom for any disastrous situation where incompetence is at the helm, promising only collective downfall.
Examples
- The new manager with no experience in the field was put in charge of training a team of raw recruits, creating a perfect example of the blind leading the blind.
- When the entire project team admitted they had no idea how to proceed, it became a clear case of the blind leading the blind, destined for trouble.