Meaning & Analysis
It is better to endure a known, present hardship (symbolized by sitting with the bitter herb 'rue') than to make a change or move ('flit') that could lead to even greater regret.
Insights
The Devil You Know
The proverb serves as a strong warning against impulsive change, suggesting that the familiar discomforts of a current situation are often more manageable than the unpredictable and potentially worse consequences of a new one.
Prudence and Risk Aversion
It champions a cautious and risk-averse approach to life decisions. The choice is framed between a guaranteed, low-level suffering and the possibility of a catastrophic one, making stability the most prudent option.
Acceptance of the Status Quo
The saying underscores the wisdom in accepting one's current lot, however imperfect. It suggests that contentment can be found not in seeking constant improvement through change, but in managing the challenges that are already known and understood.
Linguistic Wordplay
The proverb's cleverness hinges on the pun between 'rue' (the bitter herb historically associated with sorrow) and 'rue' (the act of regret). This linguistic link reinforces the idea that a known, tangible bitterness is preferable to an unknown, potential sorrow.
Cultural Conservatism
This saying reflects a conservative worldview that prioritizes stability over the inherent risks of change. In historical societies where social and geographical mobility was fraught with danger, staying put, even in difficult circumstances, was often the most rational survival strategy.
Psychological Bias
The proverb masterfully captures the psychological principle of loss aversion, where the fear of a potential negative outcome from a change ('rue flit') weighs more heavily than the discomfort of the current, known situation ('rue sit').
Rhetorical Devices
Pun / Wordplay
The proverb is built on the clever pun of 'rue', meaning both a bitter herb and the emotion of regret, creating a memorable and layered meaning.
Antithesis
The contrasting actions of 'sit' (to remain) and 'flit' (to move) create a stark choice, effectively highlighting the core dilemma between stability and change.
Parallelism and Sound Play
The parallel structure ('rue sit' vs. 'rue flit') and the repetition of the 'r' sound (alliteration) and short 'i' vowel (assonance) give the proverb a balanced, rhythmic quality that enhances its memorability.
Transcription
Quotations
Better rew sit nor rew flitt.
[As in a1598 Ferg.]
*Signifying that we know the Inconveniencies of our present Condition, but not the Consequences of a Change.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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