Prevention is better than cure
Or
A stitch in time saves nine
The saying implies that a timely remedy saves a lot of trouble. All evils begin with small germs in much the same way as a small seedling grows and becomes a giant tree. It is also true of diseases. Every infection begins with tiny microbes and spreads like wildfire as epidemics often do. Many of our ailments can be avoided if we are careful in the beginning. It is easier to nip evil in the bud than to remove it when it has grown to its full size. It is also true of all bad habits, which, sometimes, begin as harmless pastimes, or as idle curiosity or foolish fashion or ostentation. Evils like smoking, drinking, gambling and thieving all begin as said above. But gradually they take root and become incurable habits. Man regrets the day when he was drawn into them. He ruins himself in numerous ways. He squanders his wealth; he loses his health and frequently he falls a prey to dangerous diseases. He lands his near and dear ones into great difficulties and untold sufferings. He could have easily got rid of these ruinous habits if he had taken timely precaution. But he did not do so till it was too late. It has been well said that a small hole will sink a big ship. In the beginning it would have been possible to seal the dent but when it broadens and water begins to rush in, it is beyond the power of the crew to pump it out. One must be on the look-out and constantly vigilant. Carelessness, in the beginning, becomes a source of great trouble and misery in the end. In spite of a lot of pains, one is not sure of removing the evil that has set in.
