A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE
There is an oft repeated proverb. Like all proverbs, it too aims at keeping people away from mistakes and their consequent results. More often there not they come to our help when we do not know what to do. This one is a sort of spear against the devil of carelessness.
Literally it means when a garment has just started wearing out, if we stitch it at that very time, it may last well, for some time. But on the contrary, if we avoid stitching at the time, then after a few days the whole dress may become a jumble of threads, you may not be able to repair it at all.
Similarly the proverb is as applicable in all other spheres of life. Suppose, one is participating in a horse race if he does not cheek the hoofs of his horse at the time of starting. It is very probable, the horse may falter, and thus the man may lose the race. That one second’s care, might have won him a prize.
We should look before we leap. After the leap is taken even then looks may not be sufficient. A man falling ill may be cured by ordinary medicines, if given in time. But a few days lapse may make him unfit, for any cure, even with costly drugs. A definite and timely action at that moment is very important.
A ship may sink, if the crack, once noted by the crew is not immediately plugged. So we say a stitch in time saves us from having nine stitches later on.