It is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong.
It is better to suffer wrong than to do wrong.
Meaning in plain English
Suffering wrong preferred to doing wrong places conduct above avoiding every personal cost. The saying rejects answering harm by becoming its perpetrator.
Example
Someone seeks a fair remedy for a grievance rather than inflicting a new harm in return.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
A responsible interpretation does not require accepting abuse or refusing protection and support. The moral comparison can favour nonharmful choices while preserving accountability, boundaries and practical remedies. Suffering itself does not make a person better, and mistreatment is not deserved or obligatory.
When to use it
Use it to discuss a nonharmful response with protection and agency retained.
Keep in mind
No duty to endure preventable harm or moral benefit from suffering is established.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Country attributed by the collection
United States · source-attributed; earliest origin unverified
- Source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference
Supplied reference B; unit 162; PDF page 20; collection label: United States
Reuse and collection notes ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · supplied collection
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Contributor-confirmed reuse permission
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
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