It is better to be patient than powerful. It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities.

ט֤וֹב אֶ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם מִגִּבּ֑וֹר וּמֹשֵׁ֥ל בְּ֝רוּח֗וֹ מִלֹּכֵ֥ד עִֽיר׃

The Bible (The Old Testament) (14th - 2nd C BC) Judeo-Christian sacred scripture [Tanakh, Hebrew Bible], incl. the Apocrypha (Deuterocanonicals)

Book 20. Proverbs 16:32 (Prov 16:32) [tr. GNT (1976)]
    (Source)

(Source (Hebrew)). Alternate translations:

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who ruleth his spirit than he who taketh a city.
[KJV (1611)]

Better an equable man than a hero, a man master of himself than one who takes a city.
[JB (1966)]

Better an equable person than a hero, someone with self-mastery than one who takes a city.
[NJB (1985)]

Better to be patient than a warrior,
[CEB (2011)]

One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
[NRSV (2021 ed.)]

Better to be forbearing than mighty,
To have self-control than to conquer a city.
[RJPS (2023 ed.)]