Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.
More French Proverbs:
An old ape never made a pretty grimace.French
He who sees leather cut asks for a thong.
French
A good swimmer is not safe against drowning.
French
A man who is afraid of suffering suffers from fear itself.
French
Don't try to fly before you have wings.
French
The beast dead, the venom is dead.
French