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Why do we say "The lesser of two evils"?

Well-Known Expressions

The lesser of two evils

Meaning:

The less unpleasant of two poor choices

Background:

The expression appears in ancient Greek and was in use in English by the 1300s. For example, Chaucer used it in Troilus and Cressida.

"Of harmes two, the lesse is for to cheses".
Chaucer, Troilus & Criseyde, ~1374.

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The purpose of life is to be defeated by greater and greater things.

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