A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
When choosing between certain and potential gains
Understanding the Rule
A certain advantage, though smaller, often has more value than larger uncertain prospects. Don't risk what you have for speculative gains. Certainty has value.
What Happens When You Break It
Chasing uncertain gains leads to losing certain benefits, regret over abandoned security, financial losses, and discovering too late that certainty had more value.
Benefits of Following This Rule
Valuing certainty preserves gains, prevents loss, provides security, demonstrates wisdom, and often proves more profitable than risking certainty for speculation.