Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.: Learn what the means through example!

What does “Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.” mean?

"Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven" means it is better to have power and control, even in a difficult or negative situation, than to be subservient or powerless in a better situation.

What context can I use the in?

Example

Some people would rather have control over a bad situation than be powerless in a good one. Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.

Example

He chose to stay in a toxic relationship because he believed better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.

Example

She decided to start her own business, even though it was risky, because she believed *better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.

Is “Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.” effectively in context?

You can use "Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven." to emphasize the importance of personal autonomy and the desire for power and control. It suggests that some individuals would rather have control over a challenging or unfavorable situation than be subservient in a more favorable one. Here are three distinct situations where you can use this phrase:

• 1. Relationships

  He chose to stay in a toxic relationship because he believed better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.

• 2. Career

  She decided to start her own business, even though it was risky, because she believed better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.

• 3. Politics

  Some politicians prefer to hold onto power, even if it means ruling over a troubled nation, as they believe better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.

Similar phrases to “Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.”:

Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The more power a person has, the more likely they are to abuse it.

Example

The dictator became increasingly tyrannical, proving the saying power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.

In for a penny, in for a pound.

Once committed to a course of action, one should follow through completely.

Example

After investing a significant amount of money, he decided in for a penny, in for a pound and invested even more.

No pain, no gain.

One must endure hardship or discomfort in order to achieve success or progress.

Example

She pushed herself to the limit during training, believing in the principle no pain, no gain.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven." can be traced back to John Milton's epic poem 'Paradise Lost,' published in 1667. In the poem, Satan says this line to express his defiance and refusal to submit to God's authority. It has since become a popular proverb, often used to convey the idea that it is better to have power and control, even in a difficult or negative situation, than to be subservient or powerless in a better situation.

Is “Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.” common in everyday conversation?

The phrase "Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven." is not commonly used in everyday conversation. It is more often encountered in literature, academic discussions, or philosophical debates.

What tone does “Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.” have?

The tone of "Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven." is contemplative and thought-provoking. It encourages individuals to reflect on their values and priorities, and consider the trade-offs between power and comfort.

Can “Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven.” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven." is more formal in nature. It is not typically used in casual conversations, but rather in more serious or intellectual contexts.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

The phrase is usually used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'Some people would rather have control over a bad situation than be powerless in a good one. "Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven."' However, in certain contexts, it can be understood and used alone to imply the idea of prioritizing power and control over comfort and subservience.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• prefer to rule in hell than serve in heaven
• choose power over comfort
• value autonomy over subservience
• prioritize control over convenience

Antonyms

• prefer to serve in heaven than reign in hell
• choose comfort over power
• value subservience over autonomy
• prioritize convenience over control