This Merina proverb emphasizes the importance of family harmony and stability for prosperity. When a family disintegrates, it often leads to negative financial and emotional consequences. In other words, the destruction of the family home is often followed by the loss of material wealth. An equivalent proverb in English could be ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand,’ which also underscores the importance of family unity. To avoid total ruin, it is essential to maintain family unity and well-being.