Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
* "Better never..." implies that there's a better option than doing something late.
* "...than late" emphasizes that doing something after the ideal time has passed is not desirable.
Example:
Let's say you're invited to a friend's birthday party, but you realize you forgot to get a gift. You might think, "Better never than late," meaning it's better not to bring a gift at all than to show up with one at the last minute.
In essence, the phrase highlights the importance of:
* Timeliness: Doing things within a reasonable timeframe is important.
* Quality over Quantity: It's better to do something well and on time than to rush it and do it poorly.
* Respect: Being late can be interpreted as a lack of respect for others' time and effort.
It's important to note that the phrase is generally used in situations where the timing of an action is crucial, and being late significantly diminishes its value.