鸡口牛后

Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.

《战国策》

"Better the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox" comes from Strategies of the Warring States: Strategies of Han, Volume One. The original text reads, "Better to be the beak of a chicken than the rump of an ox," meaning that one would rather be a chicken's mouth than an ox's rear. Although a chicken's beak is small, it is the key part for eating and crowing, representing autonomy and dignity; although an ox's rear is large, it is merely an excretory organ, symbolizing dependence and humiliation. This idiom is used to mean that one would rather be independent within a smaller scope than be controlled and manipulated by others within a larger one. It emphasizes the valuing of independent character and the right to self-determination, and is often used when facing a choice to express an attitude of preferring smallness to largeness and lowliness to submission. In emotional coloring, it tends toward the commendatory or neutral, carrying a sense of pride and self-respect. It is mostly used in scenarios such as career choices, team affiliation, and life decisions, for example, refusing to be a marginal figure in a big company and instead choosing to be a core member in a small one. In terms of cultural background, it reflects the spirit of ancient scholars who valued moral integrity and were unwilling to live under others.

1. He gave up the opportunity to be an ordinary employee in a big corporation and returned to his hometown to start a small company—truly preferring to be the head of a chicken rather than the tail of an ox. (Meaning: preferring autonomy in a small place to being controlled in a big place.) 2. In teamwork, she would rather be the person in charge of a small project than a gofer in a big project. This choice of preferring a chicken's head to an ox's rear commands respect. (Meaning: preferring small over big, and pursuing autonomy and independence.)