ころ
転
　
ば
　
ぬ
さき
先
　
の
つえ
杖

expression

Proverb.
  1. prevention is better than cure, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, look before you leap, forewarned is forearmed, a stitch in time saves nine, a walking stick before stumbling.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
ころ
転
　
ば
　
ぬ
さき
先
　
の
つえ
杖
 転ばぬ先の杖 ころばぬさきのつえ

Contained Kanji Breakdown

revolve, turn around, change
テン　ころ.がる　うたた (3rd, N4)
car
シャ　くるま　くら (1st, N5)
span, range, extend over
わた.る　コウ　わたる (Kentei Pre-1, N1)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ　いっ　ひと- (1st, N5)
daybreak, dawn, morning
タン　あき.らか　あきら (11th, N1)
day, sun, Japan
ひ　にっ　ニチ (1st, N5)
number one, line, rod radical (no. 2)
コン　シ　ジョ
say
ウン　い.う　ここに (Kentei Pre-1)
two, two radical (no. 7)
ニ　ふた　ふだ (1st, N5)
I, myself, katakana mu radical (no. 28)
シ　ボウ　ム (Kentei 1)
before, ahead, previous
セン　さき　ま.ず (1st, N5)
legs radical (no. 10)
ジン　ニン　がい (Kentei 1)
staff, cane
つえ　ジョウ (Kentei Pre-1)
tree, wood
き　モク　こ- (1st, N5)
length, ten shaku, measure
ジョウ　たけ　とも (7th)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ　いっ　ひと- (1st, N5)
mow, cut grass, subdue
ガイ　ゲ　おさ.める (Kentei 1)