The blind leading the blind
The blind leading the blind means people giving guidance when they know no more than those following them; it appears in the Bible, in Jesus’s warnings about unreliable guides. Today, it usually describes shared ignorance rather than any lack of sight.
Where it comes from
The biblical warning
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus describes religious teachers as guides who cannot see the danger ahead. The image warns that trusting an unreliable leader can bring trouble to everyone involved.
In The Bible, Jesus responds to concern that the Pharisees have taken offence at his teaching. He pictures a blind guide and a blind follower both falling into a ditch.
In The Bible by Various authors
What it means now
The phrase now describes someone trying to guide others without enough knowledge or experience. Confidence alone does not make the advice reliable.
In Emma, Emma encourages Harriet to reject Robert Martin because she imagines a grander match for her. Emma’s mistaken judgment gives Harriet poor guidance about her own future.
In Emma by Jane Austen
How to use The blind leading the blind
- Use it when both the guide and the followers lack the knowledge needed.
- Explain what they do not understand.
- Choose a gentler expression if the phrase would sound mocking.
Does it mean the leader is deliberately misleading people?
No, it usually means the leader lacks the knowledge needed, not that the leader intends harm. Someone may offer advice sincerely and still be unqualified to give it. The phrase points to the danger of following that advice without checking it.
Can the phrase sound offensive?
Yes, it can sound insensitive because it uses blindness as an image for ignorance or poor judgment. Context and audience matter. For a neutral alternative, describe the problem directly: an inexperienced person is advising others, or nobody involved has the necessary knowledge.
Related terms
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