How does that old aphorism go about "for lack of a nail....?

Question

Something about because of the nail and for lack of a horse etc and wraps up "a nation was lost."

I bet i know who will answer this one. Just cannot remember. Reminds of the present government - for lack of a leader etc.

Answer 1

The version that I know:-

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 kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.


And yes it does seem fitting -
For want of a brain
the disk was lost
for want of a disk
the data was lost
for want of the data
a vote was lost
and all for the want of a brain


Rule Britannia, with marmalade and jam !

Answer 2

For lack of a nail, the shoe was lost;
for lack of a shoe, the horse was lost;
for lack of a horse, the rider was lost;
for lack of a rider, the message was lost;
for lack of a message, the battle was lost;
for lack of a battle, the war was lost;
for lack of a war, the kingdom was lost.
A good illustration of how even simple things can have a great effect....haven't heard this in a while.