Quotable Herbert/Franklin

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.

—PROVERBIAL RHYME VARIOUSLY ATTRIBUTED TO GEORGE HERBERT, BEN FRANKLIN, ET AL.