Better safe than sorry

Meaning: It's wiser to be cautious than to take unnecessary risks.

Origin: Irish proverb first recorded in 1837 in Samuel Lover's novel Rory O'More.

Translations

• French: Mieux vaut prévenir que guérir (literally: Better to prevent than to cure)
• Spanish: Más vale prevenir que lamentar (literally: Better to prevent than to regret)
• Japanese: 備えあれば憂いなし (Sonae areba urei nashi) (literally: If prepared, there is no worry)

More proverbs about Wisdom

• A rose by any other name would smell as sweet — The essence of something doesn't depend on what it's called.
• Kill two birds with one stone — Accomplish two tasks with a single action.
• Don't bite off more than you can chew — Don't take on more than you can handle.
• Every rose has its thorn — Even the best things have their drawbacks.
• All's well that ends well — A good outcome justifies the difficulties along the way.
• A rolling stone gathers no moss — Those who keep moving avoid stagnation (or commitments).

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