What does “In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.” mean?

"In the country of the blind, a one-eyed man is king" means that if the people around you lack knowledge or skill in a particular area, even minimal knowledge or ability can make you superior or valuable.

What context can I use the in?

Example

Even though I only have basic knowledge in coding, in this group of non-tech-savvy people, in the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.

Example

She may not be the most skilled player, but in a team of beginners, in the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.

Example

In a room full of people who can't cook, even a simple dish can make you a star. In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king

Is “In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.” effectively in context?

You can use "In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king" to highlight the advantage or superiority one may have in a situation where others lack knowledge or skill. It emphasizes that even minimal knowledge or ability can make someone valuable or superior. Here are three distinct situations where you can use this proverb effectively:

1Education
Even though I only have basic knowledge in coding, in this group of non-tech-savvy people, in the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.
2Sports
She may not be the most skilled player, but in a team of beginners, in the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.
3Cooking
In a room full of people who can't cook, even a simple dish can make you a star. In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.

Similar phrases to “In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.”:

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Having a small amount of knowledge about something can lead to mistakes or misjudgments.

Example

He thought he knew enough about car repairs, but ended up causing more damage. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Jack of all trades, master of none

Someone who has superficial knowledge or skills in many areas, but lacks expertise in any particular one.

Example

He can do a bit of everything, but he's not really good at anything. Jack of all trades, master of none.

Empty vessels make the most noise

People who have little knowledge or understanding tend to talk the most and make the most noise.

Example

He keeps boasting about his skills, but he doesn't really know what he's talking about. Empty vessels make the most noise.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.” come from?

The origin of the phrase "In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king" can be traced back to the 16th century. It is believed to have originated from a Latin proverb 'In regione caecorum rex est luscus,' which was later popularized by the Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus in his book 'Adagia.'

Is “In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.” common in everyday conversation?

The phrase "In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king" is not as common in everyday conversation compared to other proverbs. However, it is still recognized and understood by many English speakers.

What tone does “In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.” have?

"In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king" conveys a tone of highlighting an advantage or superiority. It is often used to acknowledge the value of even minimal knowledge or ability in a specific context.

Can “In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king.” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "In the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king" is considered formal. It is more commonly used in written communication, such as essays, articles, or speeches, rather than in casual conversations.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

The phrase is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'Even though he only knows a little about art, in this group of non-artists, "in the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Remember, "in the country of the blind one-eyed man is a king".' to imply the importance of having even minimal knowledge or ability.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

even a little knowledge is power
in a land of ignorance, a person with a little knowledge is respected
a small advantage can make a big difference
in a world of amateurs, a beginner can shine
in a crowd of novices, a slightly experienced person stands out

Antonyms

in the land of the knowledgeable, a person with little knowledge is insignificant
in a room of experts, a beginner is overshadowed
in a group of skilled individuals, a person with minimal ability is unnoticed