Better be ill spoken of by one before all, than by all before one.

Meaning: Public criticism from a single person is preferable to private gossip spreading through many mouths.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

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He that will steal an egg will steal an ox. — Small moral breaches signal willingness to commit greater crimes when opportunity and sta…
He that will steal a pin will steal a better thing. — Small moral compromises create a slippery slope toward committing greater wrongs.
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After a storm comes a calm. — Hardship is temporary; peaceful periods naturally follow difficult ones.

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