forewarned is forearmed
proverbEtymology Possibly, although not certainly, from the Latin saying praemonitus praemunitus.
1
Advance awareness of a situation, especially a risky one, prepares one to deal with it.
- [W]hatever a young gentleman of that age says to you, he says to many other ladies; but your experience is not equal to your sense; so profit by mine . . . forewarned is forearmed.1863, Charles Reade, chapter 4, in Hard Cash:
- Sometimes, they say, it is wiser to remain in ignorance; at other times forewarned is forearmed.1885, G. A. Henty, chapter 4, in Saint George for England:
1 more example
- "Well, Miss Maxwell, I think it only fair to tell you that you may have trouble with those boys when they do come. Forewarned is forearmed, you know."c. 1903, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Why Mr. Cropper Changed His Mind:
- Related terms
- foresight, forethought, a danger foreseen is half avoided, word to the wise