With all the commotion surrounding the fear of the new virus recently, I can’t help but think of a particular proverb:
最近大家都在家躲新型病毒，
瑟瑟發抖的我不禁想起一句應景的英文諺語：
「A stitch in time saves nine.」
「一針及時，可省九針。」
In fact, New York Senator Chuck Schumer had said in a statement in regards to the new coronavirus on January 26:
正如紐約參議員Chuck Schumer在1月26日就新型冠狀病毒發表的一份聲明中說的那樣：
「If we have learned anything from the risks that new viruses pose to public health it is that a 『stitch in time saves nine,』 and the more we can do to be proactive, the better off the public will be.」
「如果問我公眾能從新型病毒帶來的危害中學到了什麼，那就是『一針及時，可省九針。』 我們越能未雨綢繆，人們就越能安康。」
So what does 「a stitch in time saves nine」 mean here?
所以，「一針及時，可省九針」在這裡是什麼意思?
Meaning
啥意思?
The meaning of this well-known proverb is: if you try to solve the problem as soon as you can, then it will save you some extra work later on.
這句著名的諺語的含義是：
如果你能儘快解決當下的問題，
那就為之後的工作省去許多不必要的麻煩。
Origin
怎麼來滴?
There are a number of theories on the origin of this proverb, but the most popular theory is that it originated from sewing! If you stitch up a hole that you see immediately…then you won’t have to worry about it later (when the hole gets bigger).
這句諺語的有很多理論起源，
但最流行的說法是它起源於縫紉
也就是如果你一看到洞就能立即縫上，
那你就沒有後顧之憂了(洞就不會越破越大)。
But then why is 「nine」 used here? Most likely because 「nine」 kind of rhymes with 「time」.
為什麼是 「9」?
可能是因為「9(nine)」和「時間(time)」有點押韻。
Yep, it’s just that simple…because it rhymes.
對，就是這種諧音梗。
In the case of this new coronavirus, 「a stitch in time saves nine」 means, if it needs immediate attention, then give it the attention now!
在新型冠狀病毒肆虐的形勢下，
「一針及時，可省九針」的意思也可以解讀為
「如想消它氣焰，現在就要給足重視!
But this proverb can also be used when talking about procrastination as well. 「A stitch in time saves nine」 can be used to warn someone who loves to procrastinate. It's a reminder for them that the more they put off the work they have to do…the harder it can get!
順便說一句，這個諺語也可以用來
「談論拖延症」
「一針及時，可省九針」可以用來
警醒那些拖延癌患者
意思是：工作越拖，就做的越難還越多…
For example: You should review all your notes right after class instead of waiting to review them just before an exam! A stitch in time saves nine!
比如：
「你應該在課後複習所有的筆記，而不是等到考試前抱佛腳。一針及時，可省九針啊。」