a stitch in time saves nine (a timely effort can prevent larger problems) · better safe than sorry (it is preferable to be cautious in one's choices than suffer from recklessness)
köken: Literally, “It's better to prevent than to remedy [afterwards]”.
köken: Attested in Henrik Florinus: Wanhain suomalaisten tawaliset ja suloiset sananlascut ("The Proper and Graceful Proverbs of the Old Finns", 1702): Pare oja tuckia cuin joki.