1. ruin - Noun
2. ruin - Verb
The act of falling or tumbling down; fall.
Such a change of anything as destroys it, or entirely defeats its object, or unfits it for use; destruction; overthrow; as, the ruin of a ship or an army; the ruin of a constitution or a government; the ruin of health or hopes.
That which is fallen down and become worthless from injury or decay; as, his mind is a ruin; especially, in the plural, the remains of a destroyed, dilapidated, or desolate house, fortress, city, or the like.
The state of being dcayed, or of having become ruined or worthless; as, to be in ruins; to go to ruin.
That which promotes injury, decay, or destruction.
To bring to ruin; to cause to fall to pieces and decay; to make to perish; to bring to destruction; to bring to poverty or bankruptcy; to impair seriously; to damage essentially; to overthrow.
To fall to ruins; to go to ruin; to become decayed or dilapidated; to perish.
Source: Webster's dictionaryNo matter how just your words may be, when you speak with anger, you ruin all: no matter how boldly you speak, how fairly reprove, or what not. John Chrysostom
A grimy fly can soil the entire wall and a small, dirty little act can ruin the entire proceedings. Anton Chekhov
In the human heart there is a perpetual generation of passions, such that the ruin of one is almost always the foundation of another. François de La Rochefoucauld
The tongue can ruin a person, and the tongue can save them. African Proverb
Taking aim for too long can ruin your eyes. Ivorian Proverb
A year's care, a minute's ruin. Filipino Proverb