2. 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.
3. 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.
4.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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, drunkenness. 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.
8. 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 wellillustrated by the
facts of Indian society.
9. 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.
