Als het kalf verdronken is, dempt men de put.
“Only when the calf has drowned does one fill in the well.”
People take precautions only after a disaster has already happened, when it is too late.
— Traditional Netherlands Wisdom, Netherlands
Source: Traditional Netherlands proverb, public-domain oral tradition
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The apple does not fall far from the tree.
Children tend to resemble their parents in character and behaviour.
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He who does not honour the small is not worthy of the great.
If you cannot value small things you do not deserve big ones.
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East, west, home is best.
No matter where you travel, your own home is the best place to be.
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He who says A must also say B.
Once you begin something you must accept its consequences and finish it.
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Even if a monkey wears a golden ring, it is and remains an ugly thing.
Outward finery cannot disguise a person's true nature or lack of worth.
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Better one bird in the hand than ten in the sky.
A modest thing you securely possess is worth more than larger uncertain prospects.
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