
ProverbWisdom
English origin1833
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
Meaning: Optimism should be balanced with practical preparation.
Origin: The earliest known use is in Benjamin Disraeli's novel The Wondrous Tale of Alroy (1833), in the reverse order: "I am prepared for the worst, but hope for the best."
Equivalents in Japanese
Japanese: 備えあれば憂いなし (Sonae areba urei nashi) (literally: If prepared, there is no worry)
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- Без царя в голове (Bez tsarya v golove) Foolish and reckless — with no one in charge upstairs.
- Cabeça de alho chocho A forgetful scatterbrain whose thoughts won't stay put.
- Tu es mon rayon de soleil A warm way to tell someone they brighten your day.
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