JLPT N3Proverbs

転ばぬ先の杖

Meaning
失敗しないように前もって準備しておくのがよい
Explanation
「転ばぬ先の杖」 teaches that, just as you prepare a cane before falling, it is important to prepare in advance so as not to fail. Contrary to c3's 「失敗してから対策する」 (deal with it after failing), this means valuing preparation beforehand.
Original Japanese explanation

「転ばぬ先の杖」は、転ぶ前に杖を用意するように、失敗しないよう前もって準備しておくことが大切だという教えです。c3 の「失敗してから対策する」とは逆で、こちらは事前の備えを大切にする意味です。

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