本もと木きに勝まさる末うら木きなし

expression

the first is best; nothing surpasses the original

Proverb meaning that the first in a series (especially a first spouse or first love) is better than any that follow. Literally 'there is no branch that surpasses the main trunk'. Used to express that one's first partner or original thing is irreplaceable.

• 「本もと木きに勝まさる末うら木きなし」ということわざがある。

  There is a proverb that says 'the first is best'.

• 彼かれは再さい婚こんしたが、本もと木きに勝まさる末うら木きなしと言いって前まえの妻つまを懐なつかしんだ。

  He remarried, but he missed his former wife, saying that the first is best.