Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Possession

A bird in a cage is worth a hundred at large.Italian.

A crown in pocket doth you more good than an angel spent.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

A sparrow in hand is worth a pheasant that flieth by.

A thousand cranes in the air are not worth one sparrow in the fist.Egyptian.

Better a feather in the hand than a bird in the air.German.

Better a finch in the hand than a parrot in the Indies.

Better a leveret in the kitchen than a wild boar in the forest.Livonian.

Better a mouse in the pot than no flesh at all.

Him that is in possession God helps.Italian.

I’ll not change a cottage in possession for a kingdom in reversion.

One bird in the net is better than a hundred flying.

One quill is better in the hand, than geese upon the strand.Dutch.

Possession and good right with lance in hand.Spanish.

Possession is as good as a title.French.

Possession is eleven points in the law and they say there are but twelve.

Possession is nine points of the law.

Possession is the grave of pleasure.

Prospect is often better than possession.

Rather possess a freehold though but a cottage than live in a palace belonging to another.