besser ein schreckliches Ende, als ein Schrecken ohne Ende

Etymology
The origin of this aphorism is not known with certainty. It was ascribed in 1924 to “a leading [Austrian] politician”. However, the Prussian officer is reported to have used a close variant in a speech already in 1809 and to have been so fond of it that he used it frequently.

Its literal translation is: “Better [to have] a frightful end than a fright without end”.

Proverb

 * 1)  However painful, dealing resolutely with a problematic situation is preferable to allowing it to go on indefinitely.