
ProverbWisdom
Greek origin
Second thoughts are best.
Meaning: Hasty decisions often falter; pausing to reconsider reveals wiser paths forward.
Who said it? Euripides, Hippolytus
Origin: From Euripides' tragedy Hippolytus, where the Nurse, having changed her mind about Phaedra's secret love, excuses herself with the observation that among mortals second thoughts are wiser. It has served as a defense of reconsidering ever since.
Equivalents in Italian
Italian: Il secondo pensiero è il migliore (literally: Second thoughts are best)
Explore another collection: Idioms
Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.
- Payer rubis sur l'ongle To pay in full, immediately and to the last penny.
- Faire avancer le schmilblick To make actual progress on something.
- Avaler des poires d'angoisse To endure something bitterly painful.
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