The dutch philosopher erasmus collected proverbs, including the one that is repeated in "the country of the blind": "in the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king."To suggest to Nuñez his superiority to the valley-dwellers.
What do we mean by the proverb "in the country of the blind the one-eyed man is the king"?
The adage "in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king" refers to the idea that those with somewhat superior abilities will govern. In his novel, Wells, however, flips that idea on its head. Here, a community of the blind who no longer appreciate the value of sight devalues the one-eyed Nuez.
Actually, "The Country of the Blind" twists this adage (as well as the expectations that ultimately contribute in shaping it). Nuez believes that because he has sight, he will be able to flourish in this blind community and sees it as a benefit that none of the others have.
But what actually happens goes against his expectations. Since they have been blind for generations, the people do not understand sight or vision; in fact, the concept of vision itself is virtually foreign to them.
As a result, their society and culture have been developed with their blindness in mind. The capacity to see (and Nuez's dependence on it) will ultimately prove to be more of a liability than an asset in this specific situation.
