Ignorance is preferable to error and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong.
War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity it destroys religion it destroys states it destroys families. Any scourge is preferable to it.
If it were not for the presents an elopement would be preferable.
No company is preferable to bad. We are more apt to catch the vices of others than virtues as disease is far more contagious than health.
I must take issue with the term 'a mere child ' for it has been my invariable experience that the company of a mere child is infinitely preferable to that of a mere adult.
I have spent a lifetime watching kids make mistakes because they were not trained or well led or properly motivated to do well. I never faulted the kids rather I saw opportunity to train to motivate to improve leadership - not to punish the individual.