A house divided against itself cannot stand

Proverbial Meaning: Sadness and despondency is caused in the home when families don’t get along and argue or fight with each other; be it husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, brothers and brothers or sisters and sisters – unhappiness is always the result.

Of course this proverb also applies to nations, races, companies or any group of people.

Literal Origins: When a group of people who should be aiming for a common cause fight against each other, their cause will be lost.

Common Usage: This proverb is not used extensively, but it does appear from time to time in various guises, “United we stand, divided we fall” for example. It is a common theme in some Shakespearian tragedies.