For Want of A Nail
For Want of A Nail is a proverb with many meanings. There are many lessons to learn from this saying.
by Chinyere Nwosu
For Want of A Nail
For want of a nail the shoe was lost
For want of a shoe the horse was lost
For want of a horse the rider was lost
For want of a rider the battle was lost
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost
All for the want of a horseshoe nail.
— Anonymous
History
For Want of A Nail is a proverb well-crafted in poetic style. Some attribute the saying to Benjamin Franklin. However, this saying has been around for several centuries, and many variations have developed. This saying is found in several forms dating back to the 13th century (Wikipedia). It is seen in the late 14th century in English and early 13th century in German (Bookbrowse). The earliest of the saying seen in writing was by the German poet Freidank from Swabia in the early 13th century.
The wise tell us that a nail keeps a shoe,
a shoe keeps a horse,
a horse keeps a knight,
a knight, who can fight, keeps a castle.
— Freidank
–Translated version
John Gower an English writer also referenced it in his poem Confessio Amantis (The Lover’s Confession) in the late 14th century (Bokbrowse).
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Why is this saying famous?
“For Want of A Nail” reminds us that seemingly unimportant acts, omissions, and inordinate desires for little things we can do without can have dire consequences. The consequences can be far-reaching that we may never have imagined it.
Another view of this proverb is the outcome of unresolved minor issues. As little as the misunderstanding may seem if unresolved may escalate to more complex issues that may result in untold loss and pain. Many therefore use this saying as a reminder of what may happen if we leave things unattended or focus all or most of our energy on things that may not matter.
The Literary Side of the saying
“For Want of A Nail” is an interesting read and has been taught as a poem for years. According to Dictionary.com, the saying comes from a longer proverb about a battle where the loss of a horseshoe nail led to the loss of a whole kingdom.
The lessons from this verse have inspired many in their life endeavours. It has also inspired solid themes for many literary and creative works we have seen over the years. Some examples are listed below.
- JLA: The Nail: A three-book comic series by DC Comics published in 1998. In this series, Clark Kent did not grow up to become Superman. Reason: A nail punctured his parents’ truck tire so they did not find his ship.
- For Want of a Nail by Mary Robinette Kowal. This is the 2011 Hugo winning story. It explored the complex choices and AI and her wrangler must make to solve a simple technical problem.
- The Nail and a Horseshoe – a poem by Samil Marshak was inspired by the same saying.
Lessons
- No detail is too small to ignore to successfully reach your goal.
- Prioritize.
- Seemingly unimportant acts may have dire consequences.
Variations
For want of a nail the shoe was lost;
for want of a shoe the horse was lost,
and for want of a horse the rider was lost,
being overtaken and slain by the enemy,
all for want of care about a horseshoe nail.
— Benjamin Franklin
—- The Way to Wealth (1758)
For want of a nail the shoe was lost,
for want of a shoe the horse was lost,
for want of a horse the knight was lost,
for want of a knight the battle was lost,
for want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
So a kingdom was lost—all for want of a nail
–The Nail
— JLA The Nail Series, DC Comics 1998