Sowing dragon's teeth
Meaning
Performing actions that, despite appearing insignificant, inevitably lead to future conflict, discord, or disastrous consequences.
Origin
The phrase originates from two distinct tales in Ancient Greek mythology. In one, Cadmus, the legendary founder of Thebes, was instructed by the goddess Athena to sow the teeth of a slain dragon into the ground. From each tooth sprang a fully armed warrior, who immediately turned on each other in a fierce, bloody battle. Later, Jason, in his quest for the Golden Fleece, was also commanded to sow dragon's teeth, with a similarly violent outcome. In both myths, the seemingly innocuous act of planting teeth instantly triggered widespread, self-destructive conflict, giving rise to this vivid metaphor for creating future strife.
Examples
- The politician's divisive rhetoric was nothing more than sowing dragon's teeth, guaranteeing future unrest among the populace.
- Ignoring the early signs of employee discontent is like sowing dragon's teeth within the company culture, promising later resignations and poor morale.