IN the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king

[waiglet]

What's the origin of this phrase?

[brian j john]

try this , hope it answers your question http://www.pride-unlimited.com/probono/idioms2.html

[waiglet]

Thanks Brian, great answer and so quickly!!!!!!!!!!

[n8talie]

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
[In regione caecorum rex est luscus.]
Desiderius Erasmus, Adagia (III, IV, 96)
Dutch author, philosopher, & scholar (1466 - 1536)

http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/30584.html

[brachiopod]

Fullonius, from his "Comedy of Acolastus" :-

"Caecorum in patria luscus rex imperat omnis"

Not much seems to be known about Fullonius, 'cept that he was some geezer from 'Classical Times', as only his text survived and nothing about him. But this must be the first recorded use of the phrase.

* * *

In his short-story "The Country of the Blind", H.G.Wells cites "...the old proverb" though in this tale, it turns out not to be true.....

[luscus]

Fullonius was in fact the Latin nom de plume for a little known Dutch cleric and scribbler - one Willem de Volder - b.1493 - who also used the pseudonym of Guglielmus Gnapheus. His Comedy of Acolastus was popular and translated widely in early 16thC. Europe. Dear old Desiderius Erasmus seems to have borrowed the phrase- smartened up the Latin - and now takes the credits for the tag currently being contested by the leaders of the Labour Party and the BNP!