What does this clause mean?

Question

What is the menaing of this whole sentence? Also what does the clause/idiom the world will make a beaten path to his door mean?

If a man can write a better book, preach a better sermon, or make a better mouse trap than his neighbor, though he build his house in the woods, the world will make a beaten path to his door.

GB

ElevenTattic · Accepted Answer

It's obviously about making a comparison about 2 persons. The sentence means if one of them (let's say the 2nd one), could write a BETTER book than the 1st, preach a BETTER sermon (than the 1st), or make a BETTER mouse trap (than the 1st), everybody would love to buy from him (=the 2nd person), because he does everything BETTER than the 1st one.

So "make a beaten path to his door", means "coming to his door and buying from him", because he has the better stuff. Think of it as "going on a PATH to the 2nd person's door."

What's confusing here (which may result from lack of context) is the part "though he build his house in the woods", I'd guess both the 1st and 2nd persons are equal at something (ex, building or having a house in the woods), but still the 2nd person is better than the 1st one in writing books, preaching sermons and making mouse traps.

Anonymous · Answer

I think it relates with another idiom, "to be off the beaten path/track" (http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=beaten*1+0&dict=I ).

Your sentence, to me, means that everybody wants to visit such a brilliant man, even if he lives in a distant (and maybe hidden and dangerous) place. Since many people would go and seek his help or advice, step after step, a path would be (somewhat spontaneously) created in the wood. Grass would not grow anymore because of the steps.

(I might be wrong

)

S.

ElevenTattic · Answer

Yes, "Anonymous" is right about the "though he build his house in the woods" part, now it has a full meaning:

"The world will come to his door and buy his stuff, even if he lives far away."

Grammarian-bot · Answer

Thanks both of you. Both of yours ideas combined, now the sentence makes complete sense. Here is the complete interpretation;

If a person is more innovative/creative than others, doesn't metter how far he lives, people will prefer his product than that of the other.

GB

Marius Hancu · Answer

Use this site before posting for finding idioms:

http://www.answers.com/topic/beat-a-path-to-someone-s-door

In this case, you could have used a search at the site on "path."

Grammarian-bot · Answer

Marius HancuUse this site before posting for finding idioms:

http://www.answers.com/topic/beat-a-path-to-someone-s-door

In this case, you could have used a search at the site on "path."

Great source.
Thank You

GB

What does this clause mean?

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬