A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

hair see BEAUTY draws with a single hair; with a SWEET tongue and kindness, you can drag an elephant by a hair.
HALF a loaf is better than no bread
Similar in sense to SOMETHING is better than nothing.

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  1546 J. HEYWOOD Dialogue of Proverbs I. xi. D4V Throwe no gyft agayne at the giuers head, For better is halfe a lofe then no bread. 1636 W. CAMDEN Remains concerning Britain (ed. 5) 297 Halfe a loafe is better than no bread at all. 1681 A. BEHN Rover II. II. ii. You know the Proverb of the half Loaf, Ariadne, a Husband that will deal thee some Love is better than one who can give thee none. 1841 DICKENS Old Curiosity Shop I. xxxiii. ‘Mr. Swiveller,’ said Quilp, ‘being pretty well accustomed to the agricultural pursuits of sowing wild oats, Miss Sally, prudently considers that half a loaf is better than no bread.’ 1979 Guardian 6 Aug. 10 Half a loaf is better than no bread at all. The ending of half a war is immensely better than no truce at all. 2002 A. MCNEILLIE ‘Half a Loaf’ in Times Literary Supplement 12 Apr. 4 Half a loafs better than no bread. A crumb of wisdom finds a world, in a grain of wheat. ■ content and discontent
  

The HALF is better than the whole
A proverb advising economy or restraint. Cf. HESIOD Works & Days 40 hh.i!r ? ”(?■ ri ■;. half is more than the whole.

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  1550 H. LATIMER Sermon before King’s Majesty G3 Ther is a proverbe .. Dimidium plus toto: The halfe somtymes more then the hole. The meane lyfe is the best lyfe and the most quyet lyfe of al. 1828 I. DISRAELI Curiosities of Literature 2nd Ser. 1.419 The half is better than the whole. 1906 A. C. BENSON From College Window v. It is true of conversation as of many other things, that the half is better than the whole. People who are fond of talking ought to beware of being lengthy. ■ moderation