Mas vale con mal asno contender que la leña acuestas traer. It is better to strive with a stubborn ass than to carry the wood on one’s back.
Mas vale el mal conocido que el bien por venir. Better suffer a known evil than change for uncertain good.
Mas vale humo de mi casa que fuego de la agena. Better is the smoke of my own house than the fire of another’s.
Mas vale mala avenencia que buena sentencia. A bad compromise is better than a successful suit.
Mas vale pajaro en mano que buitre volando. A sparrow in the hand is better than a bustard on the wing.
Mas vale puñado de natural que almozada de ciencia. A handful of motherwit is worth a bushel of learning.
Mas vale que digan, Aqui huyó, que Aqui murió. Better they should say, “There he ran away,” than “There he died.”
Mas vale que sobre, que no que falte. Better there should be too much than too little.
Mas vale regla que renta. Better is rule than rent.
Mas vale rodear que no ahogar. Better go about than be drowned.