Feet of clay


Feet of clay is an expression now commonly used to refer to a weakness or character flaw, especially in people of prominence.

Origin and meaning

The phrase derives from the interpretation of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, by the prophet Daniel as recounted in the Book of Daniel:

Notable uses

A well known instance of this phrase is in Byron's poem, "Ode to Napoleon Buonaparte":

Thanks for that lesson—it will teach
To after-warriors more
Than high Philosophy can preach,
And vainly preach’d before.
That spell upon the minds of men
Breaks never to unite again,
That led them to adore
Those Pagod things of sabre sway,
With fronts of brass, and feet of clay.