> as lemmas

1826 J. Banim Boyne Water III. x. 314 Howsomever safe we may be among these hills, betther sure than sorry is our word.

1837 S. Lover Rory O'More ii. xxi. 148 ‘Jist countin' them,—is there any harm in that?’ said the tinker: ‘it's betther be sure than sorry.’

1895 Times 5 Feb. 7/1 Why will steamers..persist in holding their respective courses when..there is even a bare possibility of colliding, as, by altering their course but a few points.., the voyage could not be appreciably lengthened, whilst ‘better sure than sorry’?

1914 Wichita Daily Times (Wichita Falls, Texas) 29 Mar. ii. 8/3 (advt.) Values we offer you Monday, will not be here Tuesday and since it is better to be sure than sorry, we advise that you profit by an early visit Monday.

1970 Guardian 15 July 5/4 He had so many calls saying the men were in difficulties that he notified the lifeboat station. ‘I felt it was better sure than sorry,’ he added.

1994 B. Anderson All Nice Girls ii. 26 They had checked and double-checked, laughed at themselves, assured each other they were better to be sure than sorry.