A living dog is better than a dead lion.
Meaning: Present survival and humble circumstances outweigh past glory or noble defeat.
Origin: From Ecclesiastes 9:4: "a living dog is better than a dead lion." In the ancient Near East the dog was despised and the lion admired, but the writer's point is that while there is life there is hope.
More proverbs about Wisdom
- You needn't lock the stable door when the steed is stolen. — Prevention before loss occurs matters far more than remedies applied after damage is done.
- They look one way and row another. — Deceptive intentions hidden beneath outward appearances guide people toward false destina…
- Long looked for comes at last. — Patience with delayed expectations eventually yields results; persistence through waiting…
- He that longs most lacks most. — Constant desire reveals scarcity within oneself; craving signals deprivation rather than…
- Tis not lost that comes at last. — Delayed arrival doesn't constitute loss; what eventually reaches you remains gained despi…
- Lowly sit and be richly warm. — Humble comfort surpasses prideful exposure to hardship and cold.