Remember, the early worm gets devoured by the early bird.

This quip inverts the familiar proverb “The early bird gets the worm,” using the same imagery to warn that being first is not always advantageous. By shifting attention to the worm’s perspective, it highlights the risks of eagerness, visibility, or premature action: arriving early can make one the easiest target for competition, scrutiny, or exploitation. The line functions as a skeptical counterweight to hustle-culture optimism, suggesting that timing and strategy matter as much as initiative. Its humor depends on the sudden reversal—what sounds like advice about success becomes a reminder of vulnerability and unintended consequences.