Better lose the wool than the sheep.
More French Proverbs:
He who marries a widow also marries her debts.French
All is not lost that is delayed.
French
To do like the monkey, get the chesnuts out of the fire with the cat's paw.
French
It is only good bargains that ruin.
French
Went in one ear and out the other.
French
Don't talk Latin before the Franciscans.
French