Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.
Bend
Bend the willow while it is young.Italian, Danish.
Best to bend it while a twig.
Better bend than break.
Better bend the neck than bruise the forehead.
Better is the branch that bends than the branch that breaks.Danish.
It is a good blade that bends well.
It is better to bend than break.French.
Oaks may fall when reeds brave the storm.