בָּרִי וְשֶׁמָּא-בָּרִי עָדִיף

ביטוי (אנגלית)

The Certain is to be preferred to the doubtfull/ never quite certain for hope

הגדרה (אנגלית)

The definite matter is more important than that which is cast into doubt. Between two possible options, one certain and the other doubtful, one must choose the side of certainty and not doubt. (בָּרִי means clear/definite; שֶׁמָּא means perhaps or maybe.)

(Itamar: Give me in your hand, and he says I do not know - Rav Huna and Rav Yehuda say: obligated, and Rabbenu Nissim and Rabbi Yochanan say: exempt. Rav Huna and Rav Yehuda say: obligated. Certain and maybe - the certain is preferred - Baba Kamma 109a, and also: Now that the redemption of Israel is in doubt, and my money is a certain matter, behold even the sages say: Certain and maybe, the certain is preferred - Y. Burla / Supplements, 257, and also: Wherever there is certain and maybe, the certain is preferred, and here certain and maybe, maybe is preferred. For indeed the certain to you is that your place of residence is difficult, perhaps your salvation will come to you from another place - Agnon / Oréach Natá Lalun, 19)