🪟 Better the Devil You Know: When Familiar Faces Win the Race 😈

Dive into the comfort of clichés, where known evils are better than unknown angels — a journey through idioms that celebrate the familiar over the mysterious.

Better the Devil You Know 😈

Definition

A familiar misfortune is preferable to a totally unexpected one. This adage first appeared in John Taverner’s Proverbs of Erasmus (1539), and Anthony Trollope referred to it as “an old proverb” in Barchester Towers (1857). It hints at the human preference for dealing with known problems rather than facing unknown uncertainties.

Synonyms

The known devil is better than the unknown angel
Familiarity breeds comfort
The evil you know is better than the one you don’t

Antonyms

Out of the frying pan into the fire
Jumping from the skillet into the flames
Trading one evil for a greater one

Humor-Filled Quotes

“If you’re going to have delusions, you might as well go for the really satisfying ones.” - Thomas Szasz
“Why do bad things always happen to good people? To balance the karma for the boring people you just can’t stand.” - Some Cynic Next Door

Proverbs

“It’s easier to deal with the devil you know than the angel you don’t.”
“It’s not so bad if you know what to expect.”

Stick to the evil you know
Better safe than sorry
Keep your enemies close

Literary References

Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope
Proverbs of Erasmus by John Taverner

Music

“Lucifer” by Jay-Z

Movies

The Devil Wears Prada: All the familiar evildoings of a tyrannical boss!
The Devil’s Advocate: Which temptation will win out?

🤔 The Thought-Provoking Angle

Is it wise to always prefer the familiar simply because it’s familiar? Sometimes, embracing the unknown can lead to new growth, opportunities, and adventures. Navigating this balance can be tricky but immensely rewarding.

✨ Intriguing Titles

“The Devil You Know: Embracing the Familiar Knights 🛡️”
“Evils of Old: Better to Dance with the Devil 👹”
“Playing it Safe: The Case for Comfort Zones 🛋️”

### Which of these phrases aligns with the adage "Better the devil you know"? - [x] The evil you know is better than the one you don't - [ ] Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all - [ ] Necessity is the mother of invention - [ ] The early bird catches the worm > **Explanation:** "The evil you know is better than the one you don't" aligns with the main idea of the adage. ### True or False: "Better the devil you know" means preferring known problems over unknown problems. - [x] True - [ ] False > **Explanation:** Correct! It’s indeed about preferring known troubles over unfamiliar ones. ### Which literary work mentioned the proverb "Better the devil you know"? - [ ] Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone - [ ] The Great Gatsby - [x] Barchester Towers - [ ] Pride and Prejudice > **Explanation:** Anthony Trollope referred to it as “an old proverb” in *Barchester Towers*.

Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell

“As we prefer the devil we know over the angel we don’t, let’s remember that pushing our boundaries, challenging the status quo, and taking risks can lead to greater growth. While the known can offer comfort, the unknown promises the adventure of becoming our best selves.” - Philomena Phrasewell