Quote "for the want of a? the ? was lost"?

Answer 1

It's a progression:

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 war was lost
For want of a war the kingdom was lost
All for the want of a nail.

Answer 2

Peter B is correct. I believe it comes from the Roman Empire, and was a widely quoted proverb at that time, mostly to encourage soldiers to pay attention to details, I believe. Another widely quoted saying in Roman times apparently comes from a true story. There was a Roman general by the name of Pyrrus who won a great battle against the Germans, but in so doing he lost over 90% of his soldiers. He then went back to report to his superiors that "another such 'victory' and we shall all be lost!", his voice dripping with sarcasm. Such victories have been called "Pyrric victories" ever since.

Answer 3

For the want of a horse a war was lost.

Answer 4

There are many answers to this quote. Here are only two:

For the want of a compass the expedition was lost.

For the want of a lighthouse the ship was lost.

For the want of an education a mind was lost.

and so on...

Answer 5

for want of a nail the kingdom was lost.

Answer 6

now I'm lost