better the devil you know than the devil you don't

: comparative ofgood

:  greater than half

:  improved in health or mental attitude

:  to make better (see ¹better): such as

:  to make more tolerable or acceptable

:  to make more complete or perfect

: comparative ofwell

:  in a more excellent manner

:  to greater advantage :  preferably

:  something better (see ¹better)

:  a superior especially in merit or rank

:  advantage, victory

:  had better (see ³better 1b)

:  an evil spirit :  demon

:  an extremely wicked person :  fiend

:  a great evil

:  to season highly

:  tease, annoy

:  the one or ones being addressed — compare thee, thou, ye, your, yours

:  one

:  to perceive directly :  have direct cognition of

:  to have understanding of

:  to recognize the nature of :  discern

:  knowledge

:  do not

:  does not

:  a command or entreaty not to do something