Stitches

If a stitch in time saves nine, then will two stitches save 18?

And what exactly does the 9 represent here? Nine more stitches?

Public Comments

1. It means taking one preventative measure in advance can save many more once a mistake has been made.
2. Taking care of something now will save time later because later it will just be a bigger problem. Two stitches won't save 18, because once you've missed the opportunity to take are of the little problem, it never becomes small again.
3. Nine is used simply because it roughly rhymes with "time." Nevertheless, the saying expresses the truth of the idea that a little precaution now will save a lot of trouble later.
4. You would save 9 stitches from unraveling had you put one stitch in to reinforce your work.
5. Yes, two will save 18 if they are in two different items.