Satius est Initiis mederi quam Fini

"A stitch in time saves nine." The most serious diseases, if taken in time, might often be cured. "Principiis obsta, sero medicina paratur, Quum mala per longas invaluere moras," oppose the disease in the beginning, for medicine will be applied too late, when it has taken deep root, and fixed itself in the constitutions. To the same purport are, "Sero clypeum post vulnera," it is too late to have recourse to your shield, after you are wounded. "La casa quemada, acudis con el agua," the Spaniards say, "When the house is burnt, you then bring water." Evil dispositions in children, are also to be corrected before they become habits. "Qui bien aime, bien chatie," or "Spare the rod, and spoil the child."