Better to be a crystal and to be broken, than to be a tile upon the housetop.
More Japanese Proverbs:
A fruit-bearing tree is known by its flowers.Japanese
It is foolish to deal with a fool.
Japanese
Overturned water doesn't return to the tray.
Japanese
If a waterwheel exerts itself, it has no time to get frozen.
Japanese
If you are going to sit on it for three years, the seat will certainly get warm.
Japanese
Fall seven times and stand up eight.
Japanese