Akademik

Не сули собаке пирога, а кинь краюху
Little help given to a man who needs it is better than promising much. See Не сули журавля в небе, дай синицу в руки (H)
Cf: An acre of performance is worth the whole world of promise (Am.). Bread today is better than cake tomorrow (Am.). A gift in the hand is better than two promises (Am., Br.). One acre of performance is worth twenty of the Land of Promise (Br.)

Русско-английский словарь пословиц и поговорок. . 2013.