समयोचितपद्यमालिका - न कूपखननं युक्तं

न कूपखननं युक्तं प्रदीप्ते वह्निना गृहे ।
चिंतनीया हि विपदामादावेव प्रतिक्रिया ॥

- समयोचितपद्यमालिका

na kUpa khananam yuktam pradIpte vahninA gRuhe ।
chintanIyA hi vipadAm aadAveva pratikriyA ॥

- samayochitapadyamAlikA

It is not wise to start digging a well when your house is on fire. One must be prepared for calamities well in advance. When they strike, one must only effect a plan that is already made.

- Samayochitapadyamalika