A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE

This is oft-repeated proverb. Like all proverbs, it too aims at keeping people away from mistakes and their consequent results. More often than not, they come to seek our help when it is too late. This one is a sort of spear against the devil of carelessness Quite literally, it means that if we stitch the torn part of a garment, we may make it last for a while. If we neglect that tear in the dress, it is bound to fall apart and become useless soon. Similarly, the proverb is applicable in all other spheres of life. Suppose one is participating in a horse race. If he does not check the hoofs of his horse at the time of starting, it is highly probable the horse may falter, and thus the rider may lose the race. That one second's care might have won him a prize. A man falling ill may be cured by ordinary medicines, if given in time. But a few day's lapse may make him unfit for any cure, even with costly drugs. A definite and timely action at the moment is very important. A boat 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 to take nine stitches later on

"A Stitch in Times Saves Nine" is a well known proverb. It is frequently used in conversation. It passes on from one hand to another like a current coin. It means that evil should be nipped in the bud, and thus much future trouble would be avoided. A cloth which is torn must be stitched at once for otherwise the torn portion would increase in size and many more stitches would be required. Similarly, in every walk of life things must be set right in the very beginning in order to avoid much future trouble and expenditure. Sometime, if the evil is not put down in the very beginning, it may become unmanageable and may not be remedied at all. Hence we may say that the proverb "A Stitch in Time Saves Nine" has much truth and wisdom in it. The truth of the proverb will become clear, if we consider a few examples from day to day life. It is early in life that many bad habit is acquired and if the evil habit is not checked then and there, it grows and gives rise to many other evil habits. If a growing child tells lies, he should be at once taken to task so that the habit doesn't take roots, and he learns to tell the truth. If the child does not relish the food prepared at home or if he refuses to teak some particular dish, this bad habit should be put down in the very beginning. Fond, indulgent parents over-look such evils. They forget that in this way they are spoiling their darling child, that one evil leads to another and ultimately it would all recoil on themselves. The point is illustrated by the well known story of the boy who acquired the evil habit of stealing and his indulgent and his fond mother did not punish him for it. He was encouraged by her attitude, and petty thefts soon led on to much greater thefts. Ultimately the result was dacoity and murder and he was sentenced to be hanged till death. His lat wish was a few words with his mother. When his mother came he pretended as if he wanted to whisper something in her ears. But when she came nearer, he cut off her ears, and told she was responsible for his disgraceful death. If she had punished him for stealing in the very beginning, he would never have become a dacoit and murdered. 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.

This proverb is a counsel of prudence. Timely action very often prevents a great loss. Steps taken early means less labour, better success, less chance of loss or damage. Suppose their is a slight rent, in your garment or crack in the enbankment. If you put in a few timely stitches and repairs, further mischief may well be prevented. Similarly, if you do not attend to your books at the proper time, when the examination comes, you are at sea, you will be unable to cope with the situation. A small banyan shoot is noticed appearing in the crevices of a building; uproot it immediately; it will save the house; delay may mean great loss, perhaps ultimate destruction. A crack in the embankment of river will widen to let in flood waters to cause disaster if it is not plugged and repaired in time. It is so in all spheres of life. In politics, a problem left unsolved for long, often leads to disaster; tackled in time it saves a world of troubles. In small things as in great, in one's household as in one's business, in all circumstances, promptness in action means profit; delay means loss. But the average, man is easy-going and indolent. He seldom likes to do a thing today when he can put it off till tomorrow. That is why the average man has this habit of not doing a thing promptly, of delaying and postponing till it is too late to mend. A schoolboy has been given tasks for his vacation. The work is not pleasant, he postpones, and he waits for a time when he has no gossip or game on hand. This reminds us of the words of Chesterfield to his son"It is an undoubted truth that the less one has to do, the less one finds time to do it." While we are idling, time slips by and opportunities are wasted. Procrastination is, indeed, the thief of time. Causes of delaying action are born of feeling of complaisance too and much dependence on luck. A character of Dickens, Micawbar took loans and spent the amount thoughtlessly "in the expectation of something to turn up tomorrow." He was finally ruined. The golden hour of opportunity slips by, and what might have been easy becomes extremely difficult, as it is to make up the arrears. Sometimes one complains that he had no luck. But, as the proverb goes, 'we make our fortune and call it fate'. But proper steps taken at the proper time would have eliminated difficulties. Hence, we should make up our mind to act promptly to strike at once. "Never leave till tomorrow what you can do today", was the motto of Benjamin Franklin. We must at all times be well prepared for all things. The shiftless man is always at his wit's end. So he seeks, falls back. But the capable man takes immediate steps because he is ready at all times. If he had a rent in his garment, he knows where to find needle and thread to mend it. There is one circumstance where action may be deferred. It is where you find that action is unnecessary and hastiness is not advisable. Suppose the garment- that is rent is badly worn out, probably beyond repair. To mend it today will not end your troubles. Hence as a corollary, we may add, never sacrifice prudence to haste. Premature action also is unwise, because something may occur that may make you regret. It is wise to be cautious. "Look before you leap" is a maxim of wisdom.