better to drink the milk than to eat the cow

used to advise that it is more beneficial to take a smaller but sustainable benefit from a resource or opportunity, rather than trying to consume or exhaust it completely for short-term gain

The proverb "better to drink the milk than to eat the cow" does not have a widely documented origin from a specific text or culture, but it is rooted in traditional agricultural wisdom. The saying emphasizes that by preserving resources instead of exhausting them, one can maintain a continuous advantage rather than facing a shortage in the future. It serves as a reminder to think ahead and make choices that ensure lasting profitability rather than short-term satisfaction.