Better half a loaf then no bread.
James Howell (c. 1594–1666) Welsh historian and writer
Paroimiographia [Παροιμιογραφία]: Proverbs, or, Old Sayed Sawes & Adages, “English Proverbs” (1659) [compiler]
(Source)
Howell also lists this proverb on an earlier page. A similar proverb, "Better half a loaf than none at all," appears on two pages as well, the second showing how to render the phrase in French, Italian, and Spanish.

