a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

== English == === Etymology === Calque of Latin plus valet in manibus avis unica quam dupla silvis (“a single bird in the hands is worth more than two in the forest”), possibly deriving from sources as old as the ancient Middle East, with the 6th century BCE Proverbs of Ahiqar including "a sparrow in thy hand is better than a thousand sparrows flying". === Pronunciation === === Proverb === a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush A sure thing is preferable to the mere chance at something more. [15th c.] 15th c., John Capgrave, Life of St Katherine, Bodleian MS Rawlinson poet. 118, Bk. II: It is more sykyr a bryd in youre fysteThan to have thre in the sky aboveAnd more profitabyl to youre behove. 1737, Henry Fielding, Pasquin, Act II, Scene I, p. 27: May. No, but the Sides are going to be changed ; and Sir Harry is to be ſome very great Man ; and as ſoon as he is, I am to be made an Embaſſador of. Mrs. May. Made an Aſs of! Will you never learn of me, that a Bird in the Hand is worth two in the Buſh ? ==== Synonyms ==== better an egg today than a hen tomorrow, take the cash and let the credit go ==== Translations ==== === See also === half a loaf is better than none, something is better than nothing, beggars can't be choosers, don't look a gift horse in the mouth a contented mind is a perpetual feast the grass is always greener on the other side === References ===