Which is better: Python or C++?

Normally I’d say Python because it’s easy.

But if you take the time to learn C (not C++), you will actually be able to use what you’ve learned in a lot of other languages and systems later, since much of what you use is actually written in C and C++.

The orthodoxy is to chose Python, but based on my own experience as a young programmer, learning C was the best thing I did.

Many standard libraries are patterned off the C standard library (stdlib) and the foundation of standard Ansi C is a good start for making you into a really decent programmer.