I'm trying to translate a proverb that roughly translates to "a wound untreated will fester," but I'm having trouble thinking of an English equivalent.
A proverb that expresses the idea that an unaddressed problem will lead to consequences? [duplicate]
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Excuse me, but is this from a Korean or Chinese proverb?– Cascabel_StandWithUkraine_Commented Mar 21, 2022 at 22:04
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3Does this answer your question? What is the idiom, proverb for "Little problems often become big problems if no one takes the initiative to correct them" OR Is there any idiom to describe the importance not to let somthing bad happen in the first place??– Edwin AshworthCommented Mar 22, 2022 at 16:21
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4 Answers
The idiom a stitch in time saves nine describes the situation well:
Solving a difficulty while it is small may save a great deal of trouble in the end.
or
A prompt, decisive action taken now will prevent problems later.
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3This seems similar, but different, like it is looking at the problem from the opposite angle. Commented Mar 22, 2022 at 11:42
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This is about being careful not to cause a problem, not the consequences of ignoring an external problem. Commented Mar 22, 2022 at 16:12
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1@TechInquisitor I disagree; the stitch is necessary because there is already a problem (a tear or hole in a garment); the consequence of not solving it early ("in time") is having a bigger problem later ("nine [stitches]"). A proverb about being careful not to cause a problem would, in this metaphor, describe making sure not to damage the garment so as to never need a stitch. For me, perhaps 'stop keeping your keys in your trouser pockets, and you won't have to eventually fix a hole in every pair of trousers you own'.– dbmag9Commented Mar 22, 2022 at 21:20
One with similar medical overtones is "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure":
used to say that it is better and easier to stop a problem, illness, etc., from happening than to stop or correct it after it has started
There is a slight difference in context, though, as this is more about avoiding problems before they start rather than addressing them quickly once they appear.
This proverb has a virtually identical meaning. See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Want_of_a_Nail.
In conversation one might say just “For want of a nail!”
For Want of a Nail
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 message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
Nip it in the bud
to stop something immediately so that it does not become a worse problem (Merriam-Webster)
The reference is to pruning a tree, as you might in an orchard or garden. Branches in unwanted places should be pruned while they're still buds, so the tree doesn't waste energy growing a branch there, and the resulting scar is small.
