Cf. [Euripides Hippolytus l. 436] αἱ δɛύṯɛραί ρως ϕρονṯίδɛς σοϕὼṯɛραί, the second thoughts are invariably wiser.
Oftentymes it chaunceth, that latter thoughts are better aduised than the first.
[1577 Holinshed Chronicles 438]
I finde verified that Prouerbe, That the second thoughts are euer the best.
[1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo's Civil Conversation i. 23V]
Second thoughts, they say, are best: I'll consider of it once again.
[1681 Dryden Spanish Friar ii. 22]
In composition I do not think second thoughts are best, though second expressions may improve the first ideas.
[1813 Byron Letter 11 Dec. (1974) III. 196]
Second thoughts seem to be always the best.
[1908 C. Fitch Beau Brummel i. i.]
That was my first thought. ‥But second thoughts are always best.
[1981 P. O'donnell Xanadu Talisman v.]
Related to: prudence
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
