Home › Proverbs

He that hath shipped the devil must make the best of him.

Meaning: Once committed to a dangerous course, you must proceed with full effort rather than abandon hope midway.

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

More proverbs about Challenge

  • Make not the devil blacker than he is. — Don't exaggerate someone's faults or paint them worse than reality warrants.
  • He needs must go that the devil drives. — Desperation compels action when circumstances leave no choice but obedience to dire neces…
  • The devil is not always at one door. — Misfortune strikes unpredictably from different directions, so vigilance must extend ever…
  • You may draw him which way you will, with a twine thread. — Gentle persuasion guides willing hearts more effectively than force ever could.
  • A drowning man will catch at a straw. — Desperation drives people to grasp at even the most fragile solutions when facing catastr…
  • Drink water like an ox, wine like a king of Spain. — Quench thirst with plain necessity; reserve indulgence for rare, celebratory moments.

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…