In this context, I see it more as a story than a label. I prefer 'old saw' because it parallels the register of the original. It also emphasizes that the adage/warning (artists don't make enough money to live on) is old and often repeated. Some colleagues may not have heard of it, but the same seems to be true of the Spanish source phrase.

From: https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Saw_(saying)
What is an old saw?
A saw is an old saying or commonly repeated phrase or idea; a conventional wisdom. While "old saw" is a common phrase for "saw", some consider it a tautology.

Examples:

Unicorns: People Not Companies - Horton International
https://www.hortoninternational.com › news › unicorns...
Feb 1, 2022 — **That old saw – hire for attitude, train for skills – often hits the right spot**

Don't Say “Change Is Hard” When You're Asking People to ...
https://hbr.org › tip › 2018/01 › dont-say-change-is-har...
Jan 3, 2018 — But **that old saw can become a self-fulfilling prophecy**. Momentary setbacks or delays can be viewed as the dead canary in the coal mine, ...

Working Less Is a Matter of Life and Death - The New York Times...
https://www.nytimes.com › opinion › work-hours-us-health
May 29, 2021 — ... time on the job, **going all the way back to that old saw first recorded in the 17th century, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.**

Universities shouldn't be exempt from DC property taxes
https://www.washingtonpost.com › 2016/08/19
Aug 19, 2016 — **THAT OLD saw about death and taxes does not apply to not-for-profit institutions** such as colleges and universities, which may not be ...