Parempi pyy pivossa kuin kymmenen oksalla.
“Better a grouse in the hand than ten on the branch.”
A smaller certain gain is worth more than a larger uncertain one still out of reach.
— Traditional Finland Wisdom, Finland
Source: Traditional Finnish proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Finland
No one is a blacksmith when they are born.
Skill and mastery come through practice and effort, not from birth.
He who reaches for the spruce falls onto the juniper.
Overreaching or being too greedy leads to a worse outcome than staying within your means.
The morning is wiser than the evening.
It is wiser to sleep on a difficult decision and reconsider it with a fresh mind the next day.
A dog should not be judged by its fur.
Do not judge people or things by their outward appearance.
The frost will drive the piglet home.
Hardship and difficult times will eventually bring a wanderer back home or force a stubborn person to yield.
Misfortune does not come with a bell around its neck.
Accidents and misfortunes strike without warning, so one should always be prepared.