Rather hat in hand than hand in purse.
More Italian Proverbs:
Who hath no courage must have legs.Italian
He is not an honest man who has burned his tongue and does not tell the company that the soup is hot.
Italian
Any port in a storm.
Italian
To a quick question, give a slow answer.
Italian
The good shepherd shears, not flays.
Italian
Women's tears are a fountain of craft.
Italian