Measure twice, cut once

Meaning: Take time to plan carefully before acting, to avoid costly and irreversible mistakes.

Origin: English craftsman's proverb from the carpentry and tailoring trades, centuries old.

Translations

French: Mesure deux fois, coupe une fois (literally: Measure twice, cut once)
Spanish: Mide dos veces y corta una (literally: Measure twice and cut once)
Japanese: 二度測って一度切れ (Nido hakatte ichido kire) (literally: Measure twice, cut once)

The best mirror is an old friend — True friends who have known us for a long time see us most clearly and honestly.
He who fights with monsters should look to it that he does not become one — In struggling against evil, we risk adopting the very characteristics we oppose.
Wisdom begins in wonder — Curiosity and a sense of amazement at the world are the foundations of all knowledge.
He who is everywhere is nowhere — Trying to do too many things at once means accomplishing nothing properly.
Do not go where the path may lead; go where there is no path and leave a trail — True innovation and leadership mean forging your own way rather than following the crowd.
A nail is driven out by another nail — New habits, relationships, or ideas can effectively replace and eliminate old ones.

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