A stitch in time saves nine

Varun Chandok

A stitch in time saves nine

• Meaning:

• We can use this proverb to say that it is better to spend a little time to deal with problems or act right now than wait. If we wait until late, things will get worst, and it will take much longer to deal with them.

Example:

• I advise fixing the leak now. If not, you might need to replace the whole engine later. Fixing the leak costs $50, but you need to pay at least $1,000 to replace the engine. A stitch in time, you know.

If you have an idea for your final research paper, start writing today. Don't wait until the end of the semester. A stitch in time saves nine.

Proven by History

• History is replete with examples validating the above saying. Had Germany got a honourable settlement after World War I, the conflagration and destruction of the World War II could have been avoided. Had the National leaders shown maturity and understanding, the partition of the country could have been avoided. These are all glaring examples of what can happen to great countries, if small problems and differences are not resolved at once.

Practical and Sound Advice

• Kingdom's can be lost by neglecting to replace such a small thing as a nail in a horse's shoe. As most of us would have heard of the saying "For want of a nail, the shoe was lost, for want of a shoe, the horse was lost, for want of a horse, the rider was lost, for want of a rider the battle was lost, for want of the battle, the kingdom was lost." This is the most practical and sound advice, that is given by our elders including parents and teachers. However, we in our haste, tend to overlook the small details, which is the cause of major problems at a later date.

Morals and character

• It can be applied, too, to morals and character. No one gets into a bad habit all at once. All habits begin with small and apparently innocent indulgences.

• For example, drunk enness. A drunkard begins by taking a glass of wine or whisky now and then, and thinks nothing of it. But the appetite for drink grows until it becomes a craving; and before he knows where he is, he has become a slave to drink. As a Japanese proverb says: "First the man takes a drink; then the drink takes a drink; then the drink takes the man." The only safe way is to avoid the first glass.

Indian society

• Many a social evil flourishes in Indian society to-day and it has become impossible to put it down. This is so because the wise proverb in question was forgotten and evil was not nipped in the very beginning. Corruptions, nepotism, black-marketing, hoarding, smuggling, etc, are rampant today, for this very reason. On the other hand, terrorism was put down with an iron hand, in the very beginning and so it is dying out. The wisdom of the proverb is well-illustrated by the facts of Indian society.

Conclusion

• Therefore, we must attend to even minor problems immediately and not postpone action for a later date, which may be a little too late. This is a sound piece of advice that is relevant even today and would always stand us in good stead in our life. We can ignore this to our own peril.