Better a small fire that warms you than a big one that burns you.
More French Proverbs:
John has been to school to learn to be a fool.French
Riches serve a wise man, but command a fool.
French
Eat with pleasure; drink with measure.
French
One never gets more than one's money's worth of anything.
French
Don't slaughter more pigs than you can salt.
French
It is good to beat a proud man when he is alone.
French