知しらぬ神かみより馴な染じみの鬼おに

expression

better the devil you know than the devil you don't; a familiar ogre is better than an unknown god

Proverb meaning that a known, familiar person or situation, even if unpleasant, is preferable to an unknown one that might be worse. The literal gloss highlights the Japanese imagery of an ogre (鬼) versus a god (神).

See also: 知らぬ仏より馴染みの鬼

• 新あたらしい上じょう司しは厳きびしそうだけど、知しらぬ神かみより馴な染じみの鬼おにというし、今いまのままでいいかな。

  The new boss seems strict, but as they say, better the devil you know; maybe I'll stick with the current situation.