The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (169 page)

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, we must as a second-best course, it is said, take the least of the evils; CICERO
De Officiis
III. xxix.
minima de malis
, of evils choose the least.

c
1385
Troilus & Criseyde
II. 470
Of harmes two, the lesse is for to chese.
c
1440
Gesta Romanorum
(EETS) 10
Of too Evelis the lasse Evill is to be chosyn.
1546
Dialogue of Proverbs
I. V. B2
Of two yls, chose the least while choyse lyth in lot.
1785
Journal of Tour to Hebrides
464
‘O ho! Sir, (said I), you are flying to me for refuge!’.. ‘It is of two evils choosing the least.’
1891
Barracks, Bivouacs & Battles
187
Either the Turks would make a prisoner of me .. or I must .. take my chance of the Russian fire … ‘Of two evils choose the less,’ says the wise proverb.
1975
Package Included Murder
xiv.
She didn't want to wake dear Constance, who really needed all the sleep she could get, but if she didn't .. Miss Jones chose the lesser of two evils.