Wiktionary
alt. One is cautious if he or she has been hurt in the past. prov. One is cautious if he or she has been hurt in the past.
Wikipedia
"Once Bitten, Twice Shy" is a 1975 song written and recorded by Ian Hunter, from his debut solo album Ian Hunter, which reached No. 14 in the UK Singles Chart.
The song was covered by Shaun Cassidy on his 1980 LP, Wasp.
"Once Bitten, Twice Shy" was covered in 1989 by the American hard rock group Great White on their fourth album ...Twice Shy. This version was also released as a single, which charted at No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100, at No.6 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and again in the UK. The song was also covered by the Australian rock group The Angels on their 1991 album Red Back Fever. Eddie and the Hot Rods released a version of the song on their 2004 album, Better Late than Never.
Usage examples of "once bitten, twice shy".
Since he could not return to Wallachia (because of Thibor, who as a Voevod would have an army behind him), or to pirating (for once bitten, twice shy), or anywhere north of the Mediterranean, where the Mongols were still a power despite that they were on the wane, instead he would try his luck in Africa.
Well see how Dandy behaves himself first, Terilla, said Varian, firmly believing in an old adage, once bitten, twice shy.