Better alane than in ill company.
Better a laying hen than a lying crown.
Better a lean horse than a toom halter.
Better a poor horse than no horse at all.
Better a mouse in the pat than nae flesh.
Better an auld man's darling than a young man's warling.
"Used as an argument to induce a young girl to marry an old man, to the doing of which no argument should prevail."—Kelly.
Better an even down snaw than a driving drift.
Better an ill spune than nae horn.