a stitch in time saves nine

From the practice of mending a small tear in cloth when first noticed ("in time"), before it becomes a larger one requiring more stitches.

a stitch in time saves nine

1. A little effort expended sooner to fix a small problem prevents it from becoming a larger problem requiring more effort to fix later.

• never put off until tomorrow what you can do today
• there's no time like the present
• prevention is better than cure
• an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure