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A little neglect may breed mischief; for want of a nail…

“A little neglect may breed mischief; for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want a horse the rider was lost; for want of the rider the battle was lost.” quote by Benjamin Franklin
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““A little neglect may breed mischief; for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want a horse the rider was lost; for want of the rider the battle was lost.””

Benjamin Franklin

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Neglecting small details can lead to larger failures, as illustrated by proverbs about nails, horses, and riders.

In simple terms: Small neglect leads to big loss.

Key Takeaway

Pay attention to minor details to prevent larger problems.

Themes

detail neglect consequence prevention

Mood

pragmatic cautious

Type

advice practical

When to use this quote

  • maintenance
  • project planning
  • daily routines

Key Concepts

proverb risk management

Questions to Reflect On

  • What minor tasks do you often overlook?
  • How can you build habits to catch them?
A Different Perspective

May overstate causality.

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