Better Late Than Never

Meanings of “Better Late Than Never”

The phrase “better late than never” is proverbial. It means it is better to arrive or start work late instead of not trying. Therefore, this phrase is also used to imply that people should prefer can slow down while journeying and avoid speed.

Origin of “Better Late Than Never”

The phrase “better late than never” is used in various ways. However, its first use has been traced to Geoffrey Chaucer, the father of English Poetry. It is stated that he used it in Canterbury Tales as back as in 1386 as; “For bet than never is late” which is almost the same that “better late than never.”

Examples in Literature

Example #1

Better Late Than Never by Edward Hopper

In this our lost and lonely state,
In this our world so desolate,
‘T is better far to love than hate,
And better early love than late,
But “ better late than never. “

To walk the path of life alone,
With but one heart to call our own,
Hardens the one heart into stone:
“ Ye twain be one! “ is from God’s throne,
And “ better late than never. “

But he who says at time and place
He ‘ll meet a friend, then turns his face
Another way, or mopes his pace,
And conscience calms with this solace,
‘T is “ better late than never, “ —

The poem is about how we should not work in haste or hurry. It teaches us that friendship is better than making enemies. The phrase is used to encourage everyone to take up an activity, hobby, or a job even if it is late in life. Hence, ‘better late than never’ is repeated in the 2nd stanza to remind that if a person has made a mistake, it is never too late to ask forgiveness.

Example #2

Better Late Than Never by Edwina Reizer

My life has been a poem
that I never found ‘til late.
But when it came I finally knew
that the poem had been my fate.
For with it came the understanding
of all that came before.
And now the poem is with me
until life closes my door.

The poem describes the life of the poet in her own voice. She says that she has lately found that her life is like a poem. She adds that the poem has brought her an understanding of everything, but it has come very late as her life is going to end. However, she is glad that she had found her passion though it was late.

Example #3

Better Late Than Never by CeeLo Green

If it were left up to me
I would’ve already met her
But it’s better
It’s better late than never
So we should cherish
Oh this moment together
‘Cause it’s better
It’s better late than never

I’ve been waiting
Waiting and waiting
I’ve been waiting
You’re mine baby, ohh

If it were left up to me
I would’ve already met her
But it’s better
It’s better late than never
If it were left up to me
I would’ve already met her
But it’s better
It’s better late than never

The song is about the advantage of finding love later in life. The repetition of the phrase “better late than never” is repeated to stress upon the point that though the singer has come late to love his beloved, he is glad that he met her.

Example #4

Better Late Than Never by Jenn McKinlay

The story of a librarian, Lindsey, who is shocked to find a copy of Salinger’s tour de force, The Cather in the Rye, has not been returned for twenty years. Hence, she considered it still missing. She makes a mysterious discovery that the killer of the teacher, Candice Whitley, is also missing for the last twenty years. She tries to find a clue to that murder through this book. The title of the book points to this murder that took place twenty years, and it is not too late to find that murderer, solve the cold case, and get the book.

Examples in Sentences

Example #1: “Roger, an army officer, reached after the wedding vows were over. His brother said it was better late than never as they welcomed him.”

Example #2: “Most of my friends are always in a hurry, but I am like better late than never and drive slowly. I choose safety over fun to reach home.”

Example #3: “One of the newly developed countries, decided to offer free Wi-Fi at the public transport areas and airport. People are delighted.”

Example #4: “The coach was not happy when Gigi gave a silly excuse for coming late for the practice. ‘She tried to convince him it was better late than never and still got detention.”

Example #5: “Joe wanted to finish his school after spending 10 years in a juvenile detention center. The school appreciated it as it was better late than never to take up education. Five years later, Joe became a teaching assistant.”