zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse

English

Proverb

zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse

1. Enthusiasm of an inexperienced person will cause harm.
   • 2005, New Statesman, page 20:

     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.

   • 2014, August Franza, AMERICA ARRIBA!: Don Quijote and Sancho Panza in the 21st Century, →ISBN:

     "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."

   • 2014, David Wesley, A Common Mission, →ISBN:

     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.

   • 2016, Johnstone Kayandabila, Leadership's Big Idea: High-Potential Leaders in the Making, →ISBN:

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

See also

• a little knowledge is a dangerous thing
• set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the Devil