ProverbChallenge
Greek origin
Greek originOf two evils choose the lesser.
Meaning: When facing unavoidable harm, select the option causing minimum damage rather than suffering the worst possible outcome.
Origin: Aristotle advises choosing the lesser of two evils in the Nicomachean Ethics, and Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde says that of two harms, the lesser is to be chosen. Thomas à Kempis gives the same rule in The Imitation of Christ.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, German, Portuguese, and 3 more languages
French: De deux maux il faut choisir le moindre (literally: Of two evils choose the least)
Spanish: Del mal, el menos. (literally: Of the bad, the least.)
Japanese: 小の虫を殺して大の虫を助ける (Shō no mushi o koroshite dai no mushi o tasukeru) (literally: Kill the small insect to save the large one)
German: Von zwei Übeln wählt man das kleinere (literally: Of two evils one chooses the smaller)
Portuguese: Dos males, o menor (literally: Of evils, the lesser)
Dutch: Van twee kwaden moet men het minste kiezen (literally: Of two evils one must choose the least)
Russian: Из двух зол выбирают меньшее (Iz dvukh zol vybirayut men'shee) (literally: Of two evils one picks the lesser)
Polish: Z dwojga złego wybierać mniejsze (literally: Of two evils, choose the lesser)
Explore another collection: Idioms
Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.
- a pesar de los pesares Despite all difficulties and hardships; no matter what obstacles arise.
- sin cuartel Without mercy or restraint; ruthlessly and completely.
- perder los estribos To lose one's temper or composure; to become angry or agitated.
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