proverb · Words worth keeping
Bad is “a bad” servant, but worse is being without him.
Bad is “a bad” servant, but worse is being without him.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A bad servant considered preferable to none contrasts an unsatisfactory arrangement with a lack of assistance. The saying judges imperfect help through a hierarchical role.
What the words are saying
A critical reading rejects people being treated as owned tools or required to endure unfair work. The unusual source wording is preserved. A useful application can compare feasible support arrangements while distinguishing ordinary imperfection from harm and keeping responsibilities, consent and resources fair.
Everyday example
A group considers what assistance is genuinely useful and whether its conditions are fair to everyone involved.
When to use it
Use it critically as an imperfect-support comparison.
What it does not mean
No ownership, legitimacy of exploitation or duty to accept harmful help is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
United Kingdom
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 970; PDF page 84; collection label: United Kingdom
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- United Kingdom