κάλλιο πέντε και στο χέρι παρά δέκα και καρτέρει
Greek edit
Etymology edit
The literal meaning is "Better five in the hand than waiting for ten".
Proverb edit
κάλλιο πέντε και στο χέρι παρά δέκα και καρτέρει • (kállio pénte kai sto chéri pará déka kai kartérei)
- (figuratively) a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (It is preferable to have a small but certain advantage than a mere potential of a greater one.)