ProverbWisdom
English origin1546
English origin1546Half a loaf is better than none
Meaning: Something is better than nothing.
Example: “They only raised half the money, but half a loaf is better than none.”
Origin: John Heywood's 1546 collection gives "Better is half a loaf than no bread." Bread was the staple food, and the logic is a hungry person's: take the partial deal rather than hold out and get nothing. It remains the standard argument for accepting a compromise.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, and 3 more languages
French: Faute de grives, on mange des merles (literally: Lacking thrushes, one eats blackbirds)
Spanish: A falta de pan, buenas son tortas (literally: Lacking bread, cakes are good)
German: Ein halbes Ei ist besser als eine leere Schale (literally: Half an egg is better than an empty shell)
Italian: Meglio poco che niente (literally: Better little than nothing)
Portuguese: Mais vale pouco que nada (literally: A little is worth more than nothing)
Dutch: Beter een half ei dan een lege dop (literally: Better half an egg than an empty shell)
Polish: Lepszy rydz niż nic (literally: Better a mushroom than nothing)
Chinese: 聊胜于无 (Liáo shèng yú wú) (literally: Slightly better than nothing)
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Peau de vache A mean, difficult, and unpleasant person — tough and unyielding like tanned hide.
- Eres un aguafiestas You're a killjoy — you pour cold water on everyone's fun the moment you arrive.
- ¡Qué cara más dura! You've got incredible nerve and cheek — the audacity is almost impressive.
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