Better be the head of a lizard than the tail of a dragon.
More Italian Proverbs:
He who loses is always in fault.Italian
All are brave when the enemy flies.
Italian
When his head is broken he puts on his helmet.
Italian
Love is blind but sees afar.
Italian
Who has no money in his purse must have honey in his mouth.
Italian
Wealth is not his who makes it, but his who enjoys it.
Italian