the best is the enemy of the good
- the best is the enemy of the good
Also
the good is the enemy of the best.
Cf. 1770 VOLTAIRE
Questions sur L’Encyclopédie II. 250
c’est bien ici qu’on peut dire Il meglio e l’inimico del bene, and
1772 La Béguele in
Œuvres Complétes (1877) X. 50
le mieux est l’ennemi du bien.
1861 R. C. TRENCH Commentary on Epistles to Seven Churches in Asia p. v. ‘The best is oftentimes the enemy of the good’; and..many a good book has remained unwritten..because there floated before the mind’s eye..the ideal of a better or a best.
1925 Times 1 Dec. 16 This is not the first time in the history of the world when the best has been the enemy of the good;..one single step on..solid ground may be more profitable than a more ambitious flight.
1960 D. JONES Letter 1 June in R. Hague Dai Greatcoat (1980) III. 182 Tom told me a very good Spanish proverb: ‘The best is the enemy of the good.’
1981 Times 2 Mar. 13 To maintain that all that a school provides must be provided free makes the best the enemy of the good.
Proverbs new dictionary.
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