HomeServicesBlogDictionariesContactSpanish Course
← Back to search

Meaning of zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse | Babel Free

Phrase CEFR C2
/ziːl wɪˈθaʊt ˈnɒ.lɪd͡ʒ ɪz eɪ ˈɹʌ.nə.weɪ hɔːs/

Definitions

Enthusiasm of an inexperienced person cannot be easily controlled.

Examples

“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.”
“"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."”
“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.”
“They do not understand that “zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse” and that's why they are unproductive.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.

See also

Learn this word in context

See zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse used in real conversations inside our free language course.

Start Free Course