Frequently used to justify working on a Sunday or religious festival. Cf. early 14th-cent. Fr. a bon jour bone euvre, for a good day, a good deed.
Why, do you work a' Sundays, tailor? The better day the better deed, we think.
[1607 Middleton Michaelmas Term iii. i.]
The better Day, the better Deed. I never heard this used but when People say that they did such an ill thing on Sunday.
[1721 J. Kelly Scottish Proverbs 328]
The better the day, the better the deed‥It was only the Pharisees who objected to any necessary work being done on the Sabbath.
[1896 J. C. Hutcheson Crown & Anchor xiii.]
‘And he was coming back here with us after, for Sunday lunch. I've just cleaned the car in his honour, too.The better the day, the better the deed, like.’
[1995 D. Williams Death of Prodigal]
Related to: action and inaction
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
