Bedre at gaae en liden Krog end at væde sin Brog. Better make a short circuit than to wet your hose.
Bedre at komme seent til Kirke end aldrig. Better come late to church than never.
Bedre at spare paa Bredden, end paa Bunden. Better spare at the brim than at the bottom.
Bedre at være fri Fugl end fangen Konge. Better to be a free bird than a captive king.
Bedre brænder den vaade Green end den törre Steen. The wet branch burns better than the dry stone.
Bedre een Fugl i Haanden end to paa Taget. One bird in the hand is better than two on the roof.
Bedre en salt Sild over sit eget Bord, end en fersk Giedde over et fremmed. Better a salt herring on your own table, than a fresh pike on another man’s.
Bedre er aaben Fjende end Hykle-Ven. Better an open enemy than a false friend.
Bedre er at Barn græder, end gammel Mand. Better the child cry than the old man.
Bedre er at gaae fri i en grön Eng, end at være bunden til en Tornebusk. Better walk unshackled in a green meadow, than be bound to a thorn-bush.