| 单词 | to choose the worse and leave the better |
| 释义 | > as lemmasto choose (also take) the worse and leave (also scorn) the better c. to choose (also take) the worse and leave (also scorn) the better and variants: to select or opt for the less favourable, advantageous, or attractive of two available options. Also to choose the worse while knowing the better and variants.Often in proverbial use. ΚΠ a1300 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 74 (MED) Ne doþ he, mayde, on vuele dede, þat may cheose of two þat on, & he wile wiþ-vte neode take þet wurse, þe betere let gon? a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 28 It is a greet synne of two þingis to chese þe worse, whan a man may as freely have þe betere as þe worse. a1500 (?c1400) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 184 (MED) He is a miche fool þat leeveþ þe bettere and chesiþ þe werse. 1658 E. Hyde Christ & his Church 189 Is it not folly in me to leave the better and take the worse? 1779 Trial by Proxy p. viii You scorn the better, choose the worse. 1876 J. B. Bittinger Three Gardens ii. 35 Henceforth, do not choose the worse. Do not choose the worse, when you know the better! 1966 M. Pohlenz Freedom in Greek Life & Thought 71 A man who follows his sudden impulses is likely to choose the worse rather than the better. 2004 Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.) (Nexis) 10 Nov. Biblical morality is about man's sad proclivity, while knowing the better, to choose the worse. < as lemmas |
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