--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was better to take a chance on the…" description: "\"“It was better to take a chance on the devil she didn’t know than to leave herself completely unprotected against the man who (despite his recent assur..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/nancy-goldstone-28539_confidence_it-was-better-to-take-a-chance-on-the-de_1500803.jpg" --- # It was better to take a chance on the devil she didn’t… ![“It was better to take a chance on the devil she didn’t know than to leave herself completely unprotected against the man who (despite his recent assurances of devotion) had made it his business to torment her in the past.” quote by Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/nancy-goldstone-28539_confidence_it-was-better-to-take-a-chance-on-the-de_1500803.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/nancy-goldstone-28539_confidence_it-was-better-to-take-a-chance-on-the-de_1500803.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/nancy-goldstone-28539_confidence_it-was-better-to-take-a-chance-on-the-de_1500803.jpg) > ““It was better to take a chance on the devil she didn’t know than to leave herself completely unprotected against the man who (despite his recent assurances of devotion) had made it his business to torment her in the past.”” [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing an unknown risk can feel safer than confronting a known, harmful threat. **In simple terms:** Sometimes the unknown seems less dangerous than a known foe. Key Takeaway Weigh risks of familiar danger versus unfamiliar uncertainty. Themes risk trust self‑protection Mood cautious thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal safety decisions - relationship boundaries - career moves Key Concepts danger assessment psychological safety empowerment Questions to Reflect On - When is it wiser to face a known threat? - What strategies help evaluate unknown risks? A Different Perspective It may romanticize danger and ignore rational assessment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Torment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torment/) ## Related quotes > [“We can deny the past, but we can't escape its torment because the past is a speaking shadow that keeps pace with the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-david-roberts/we-can-deny-the-past-but-we-can-t-escape-its-torment-because-the-past/) [Gregory David Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-david-roberts/) > [“The voices would not stop. They were a torment, Her past became a kaleidoscope of shifting images that kept racing through her mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidney-sheldon/the-voices-would-not-stop-they-were-a-torment-her-past-became-a/) [Sidney Sheldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidney-sheldon/) > [“The Devil didn't pull a trick. He didn't hide. He just put on a Brooks Brothers suit and convinced a generation of poets and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lokesh-tuli/the-devil-didn-t-pull-a-trick-he-didn-t-hide-he-just-put-on-a-brooks/) [Lokesh Tuli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lokesh-tuli/) > [“And in this case, the devil didn’t wear Prada so much as she wore a pink nylon tracksuit, polka-dotted bifocals, and answered to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-brogan/and-in-this-case-the-devil-didn-t-wear-prada-so-much-as-she-wore-a/) [Tracy Brogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-brogan/) > [“The devil you knew was always preferable to the devil you didn't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-devil-you-knew-was-always-preferable-to-the-devil-you-didn-t/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Well, I do expect a lot of myself. I'm a harsh critic because I know what I'm capable of. I have hit those occasional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-stevens/well-i-do-expect-a-lot-of-myself-i-m-a-harsh-critic-because-i-know/) Dave Stevens > [Surface cures are not going to get rid of the torment that's inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lynch/surface-cures-are-not-going-to-get-rid-of-the-torment-that-s-inside/) [David Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lynch/) > [Time is the mercy of Eternity; without Time's swiftness Which is the swiftest of all things, all were eternal torment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/time-is-the-mercy-of-eternity-without-time-s-swiftness-which-is-the/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [“Being around her now was nine parts bliss and one part torment. And he wanted it to last as long as possible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-ringle/being-around-her-now-was-nine-parts-bliss-and-one-part-torment-and-he/) [Molly Ringle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-ringle/) > [Speak only the speech that neither torments self nor does harm to others. That speech is truly well spoken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/speak-only-the-speech-that-neither-torments-self-nor-does-harm-to/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [Teenage girls are extremists who see the world in black-and- white terms, missing shades of gray. Life is either marvelous or notworth living. School…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-pipher/teenage-girls-are-extremists-who-see-the-world-in-black-and-white/) [Mary Pipher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-pipher/) > [When people are suicidal, their thinking is paralyzed, their options appear spare or nonexistent, their mood is despairing, and hopelessness permeates their entire mental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/when-people-are-suicidal-their-thinking-is-paralyzed-their-options/) [Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/) > [...Gratitude transforms the torment of memory of good things now gone into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/gratitude-transforms-the-torment-of-memory-of-good-things-now-gone/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Many individuals spend a considerable portion of their lifetimes in terror of one imagined catastrophe or another. The classic is that your immortal soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/many-individuals-spend-a-considerable-portion-of-their-lifetimes-in/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Nancy Goldstone > [“It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/it-must-be-considered-that-there-is-nothing-more-difficult-to-carry/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“With the departure of the acknowledged head of the Catholic party, the Protestants gained a degree of influence over the royal family completely out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/with-the-departure-of-the-acknowledged-head-of-the-catholic-party-the/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“A prince should therefore have no other aim or thought, nor take up any other thing for his study, but war and its order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/a-prince-should-therefore-have-no-other-aim-or-thought-nor-take-up/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“Thus it is ever in Courts,” she observed bitterly. “Adversity is solitary, while prosperity dwells in a crowd.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/thus-it-is-ever-in-courts-she-observed-bitterly-adversity-is-solitary/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“The duchess of Retz, who was fluent in Latin and Greek (languages she had acquired as a result of her first husband’s frustrating lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/the-duchess-of-retz-who-was-fluent-in-latin-and-greek-languages-she/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“For solace at this time of sadness and confusion, Marguerite turned to a source that would remain a refuge to her throughout her life:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/for-solace-at-this-time-of-sadness-and-confusion-marguerite-turned-to/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“In short, I was constantly receiving some fresh mortification, so that I hardly passed a day in quiet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/in-short-i-was-constantly-receiving-some-fresh-mortification-so-that/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“Fortresses may or may not be useful according to the times; if they do good in one way, they do harm in another.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/fortresses-may-or-may-not-be-useful-according-to-the-times-if-they-do/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“Throughout her career, Catherine seems to have believed that simply by reiterating her demands over and over she could either convince her opponents of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/throughout-her-career-catherine-seems-to-have-believed-that-simply-by/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“Whoever thinks that in high personages new benefits cause old offences to be forgotten, makes a great mistake.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/whoever-thinks-that-in-high-personages-new-benefits-cause-old/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“Margot was utterly unable to control her fury. “I was so greatly offended with this fresh indignity, after so many of the kind formerly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/margot-was-utterly-unable-to-control-her-fury-i-was-so-greatly/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“As we are ready to give ear and credit to those we love, he believed all she said. From this time he became distant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/as-we-are-ready-to-give-ear-and-credit-to-those-we-love-he-believed/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [ “The day on which he \[Épernon\] arrives, and so long as he remains, I shall dress myself in garments which I shall never wear… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/the-day-on-which-he-pernon-arrives-and-so-long-as-he-remains-i-shall/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“Although passionate, she required a more complex wooing. The groom’s taste ran to more easily available conquests. (Or, as a future scholar would tactfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/although-passionate-she-required-a-more-complex-wooing-the-groom-s/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) > [“The character of people varies, and it is easy to persuade them of a thing, but difficult to keep them in that persuasion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/the-character-of-people-varies-and-it-is-easy-to-persuade-them-of-a/) [Nancy Goldstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) [Explore all 19 Nancy Goldstone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/) ## More Confidence quotes > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [Confidence comes from cutting yourself some slack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/confidence-comes-from-cutting-yourself-some-slack/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-that-i-have-done-than-the-things/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [Get to know yourself well enough to not only expect, but also control, your response to the unexpected challenges in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/get-to-know-yourself-well-enough-to-not-only-expect-but-also-control/) Senoraroy > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I look for someone who has confidence. Also someone whose energetic, cause I'm NOT that energetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/i-look-for-someone-who-has-confidence-also-someone-whose-energetic/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [Why shouldn't I be confident? I'm well educated, I can deliver a line, and I have more than three expressions. That's good right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/why-shouldn-t-i-be-confident-i-m-well-educated-i-can-deliver-a-line/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [I was very confident on the stage, and I stood out in a red gown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-johnson/i-was-very-confident-on-the-stage-and-i-stood-out-in-a-red-gown/) [Nicole Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-johnson/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/if-you-go-to-any-nunnery-and-ask-them-what-the-main-obstacle-is-they/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) [Browse all 11,290 Confidence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It was better to take a chance on the devil she didn’t know than to leave herself completely unprotected against the man who (despite his recent assurances of devotion) had made it his business to torment her in the past.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nancy Goldstone" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/it-was-better-to-take-a-chance-on-the-devil-she-didn-t-know-than-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Confidence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/it-was-better-to-take-a-chance-on-the-devil-she-didn-t-know-than-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/nancy-goldstone-28539_confidence_it-was-better-to-take-a-chance-on-the-de_1500803.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/nancy-goldstone-28539_confidence_it-was-better-to-take-a-chance-on-the-de_1500803.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/968/nancy-goldstone-28539_confidence_it-was-better-to-take-a-chance-on-the-de_1500803.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It was better to take a chance on the devil she didn’t know than to leave herself completely unprotected…” — Nancy Goldstone", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Nancy Goldstone", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-goldstone/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It was better to take a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/it-was-better-to-take-a-chance-on-the-devil-she-didn-t-know-than-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-goldstone/it-was-better-to-take-a-chance-on-the-devil-she-didn-t-know-than-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```