zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse en · X
Pronunciation
- /ziːl wɪˈθaʊt ˈnɒ.lɪd͡ʒ ɪz eɪ ˈɹʌ.nə.weɪ hɔːs/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (UK) audio
- /zil wɪˈθaʊt ˈnɑ.lɪd͡ʒ ɪz eɪ ˈɹʌ.nə.weɪ hɔɹs/ (General-American)
Meanings
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Enthusiasm of an inexperienced person cannot be easily controlled.
"And what are you, if I may ask?" Sol said, tapping his partner's knee. Alfred answered deliberately. He pointed to his eyes. "A realist. A pragmatist, after long and hard experience. Dreams are for fools and idiots, and zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse."
2014, August Franza, AMERICA ARRIBA!: Don Quijote and Sancho Panza in the 21st Century, →ISBN:Proverbs 19:2 states that it is not good to have zeal without knowledge. A similar British proverb is “zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse." Zeal defines the earnestness and good intentions that remain essential to the church. However, the congregation's enthusiasm, coupled with inexperience in cross-cultural ministry, can result in an inability to listen and receive help from their host.
2014, David Wesley, A Common Mission, →ISBN:They do not understand that “zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse” and that's why they are unproductive.
2016, Johnstone Kayandabila, Leadership's Big Idea: High-Potential Leaders in the Making, →ISBN:As my old granny would have commented: "Zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse." The mosque was all frenzy, made so by factions inspired by Middle Easterners who discovered fertile ground in Brixton.
2005, New Statesman, page 20:
Relateds
set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the Devil · a little knowledge is a dangerous thing